Ranking the top 5 active leaders in triple-doubles in the NBA as Nikola Jokic overtakes Wilt Chamberlain on the list
Two-time reigning MVP Nikola Jokic has continued to set records in the NBA.
Last season, when the Serbian powerhouse was named MVP, he became just the seventh big man in league history to win back-to-back MVP awards. In addition, he became just the 13th player to record back-to-back MVP seasons.
Jokic further cemented his place in the history books when he picked up his 79th triple-double this week against the OKC Thunder.
Why is Nikola Jokic's triple-double against OKCThunder significant, and how does he overtake Wilt Chamberlain?
Not only was it the 79th triple-double of Nikola Jokic's career, it also moved him into first place for most triple-doubles this season. Although it's still early in the season, Jokic also moved up the all-time triple-double leaderboard. After finishing the team's 122-110 win over the OKC Thunder with a triple-double, Jokic passed Wilt Chamberlain to move into sixth place.
It's an impressive feat considering that Jokic is only in his eighth NBA season. What's arguably more impressive, however, is where Jokic ranks on the triple-double leaderboard for active players.
Where does Nikola Jokic rank in triple-doubles among active players?
Nikola Jokic sits comfortably in third place on the NBA's active triple-double leaderboard. With his recent performance against the OKC Thunder, Jokic has cemented his third-place ranking by adding to his lead over James Harden (69).
Ahead of Jokic in second place is none other than future Hall of Famer LeBron James, who has 105 triple-doubles. Of course, the first-place slot is comfortably held by Russell Westbrook, who has 194.
While Nikola Jokic overtakes Wilt Chamberlain, which NBA legends make up the top five?
Passing up Wilt Chamberlain is no small feat. By moving into sixth place on the all-time triple-double leaderboard, Jokic has solidified his place among the greats.
Let's take a look at who he's chasing for a top five spot.
5: LeBron James (105)
In Year 20, LeBron James is still going strong. Although the jump from Jokic's 79 triple-doubles in sixth place and James' 105 in fifth place is quite the gap, it's not insurmountable. Should Jokic manage to play for another eight seasons and double his current stats, he would without a doubt catch up to LeBron.
However, LeBron has made it clear that he wants to continue to play in order to join a team with both of his sons. Over the course of the next few years, James could continue to add to his lead.
4: Jason Kidd (107)
Throughout the course of his 19-year career, Jason Kidd was an absolute triple-double machine. He racked up 107, establishing himself as one of the best point guards of all time. As one of the few players to truly transcend eras, Kidd continued to evolve his game from the 1990s all the way to the 2010s.
Considering he is only two above James, Jokic will without a doubt be chasing Kidd's triple-double record.
3: Magic Johnson (138)
Widely believed to be the greatest point guard of all time, it's no surprise that Magic Johnson is a top three player in all-time triple-doubles.
Throughout his historic career, Johnson won five NBA championships. Even more impressive than that, Johnson did so while being one of the first multi-position players. With a whopping 138 triple-doubles to his name, Johnson is comfortably in third place.
2: Oscar Robertson (181)
For many years, it seemed Oscar Robertson's triple-double records would never be broken. The Hall of Famer racked up 181 triple-doubles. With a massive lead over Johnson in second place, Robertson was without question a triple-double machine.
In just over 1,000 games played, Robertson picked up a triple-double in an astounding 17% of games.
1: Russell Westbrook (194)
Sitting in first place is none other than former MVP Russell Westbrook. Several years ago, Westbrook began to rapidly approach Oscar Robert's record of 181 triple-doubles. Then, he made NBA history when he passed up The Big O while averaging a triple-double in two straight seasons.
It was an incredibly impressive feat that firmly put Westbrook in first place with 191 triple-doubles.
Despite the fact that Jokic has moved into sixth on the all-time leaderboard, he still has some work to do to make the top three. Do you think he'll be able to do it?