NBA Game Notes (Oct. 24, 2023)

Here are the NBA game notes for games that were played on October 24, 2023.

Rings and Things

Nikola Jokic produced game-high figures of 29 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists as the Denver Nuggets started their championship defense with an easy 119-107 home win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Jokic became the 13th player in NBA history to record a triple-double on the league’s opening day (a total of 16 instances):

• Oscar Robertson (1960, 1963, 1966)

• Walt Hazzard (1966)

• Jerry Lucas (1972)

• Magic Johnson (1981, 1982)

• Larry Bird (1985)

• Fat Lever (1987)

• Scottie Pippen (1992)

• Clyde Drexler (1996)

• Jason Kidd (2000)

• Gary Payton (2000)

• LeBron James (2016)

• Stephen Curry (2021)

• Nikola Jokic (2023)

The only player listed above to score more points than Jokic’s 29 was Oscar Robertson, who scored 37 points with 10 rebounds and 10 assists on Oct. 15, 1966.

It’s the second time Jokic has recorded a triple-double in his team’s season opener, making him the fifth player in NBA history to do so multiple times:

• Oscar Robertson (4)

• Magic Johnson (2)

• Jason Kidd (2)

• Russell Westbrook (2)

• Nikola Jokic (2)

Jokic now has 106 career triple-doubles, 28 more than any other center in NBA history (Wilt Chamberlain, 78). He’s one shy of tying Jason Kidd and LeBron James for fourth place on the NBA’s all-time list.

Jokic also has 106 career games in which he’s been his team’s outright leader in points, rebounds, and assists. The only player in NBA history with more such games is Jokic’s opponent last night, LeBron James (154).