Nikola Jokic added another historic NBA achievement to his resume at the conclusion of the 2025-26 season.
Jokic, a three-time league MVP, is the first player in recorded history to lead the NBA in both rebounds and assists per game. The Denver Nuggets center averaged 12.9 rebounds and 10.7 assists per contest, complimenting his 27.7 points per game.
“Nikola Jokic is the first player to lead the NBA in both rebounds and assists per game in a season since 1969-70, when leaders began to be determined by per-game averages,” the NBA wrote in its announcement. “Wilt Chamberlain led the NBA in both categories in 1967-68, when leaders were determined by totals.”
Jokic ended the season in third position on the Kia NBA MVP ladder, trailing San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama and Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (the league’s reigning MVP).
The Nuggets are making a strong push for Jokic to win his fourth MVP trophy.
“Who else is doing this? No one,” the team wrote in a social media post. “The ONLY player to EVER lead the league in rebounds & assists.”
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While Jokic is a worthy MVP candidate, he’s up against some stiff competition for the coveted NBA prize.
In his third NBA season, Wembanyama averaged 25 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 3.1 blocks per game — leading the league in rejections for the third consecutive year. The 7-foot-4 Frenchman is widely expected to be the unanimous Defensive Player of the Year, and has publicly pushed his own MVP campaign.
Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 31.1 points, 6.6 assists, 4.3 assists and 1.4 steals per game, leading the defending-champion Thunder to an NBA-best record of 64-18.
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Jokic and the No. 3 seed Nuggets will begin their postseason with a first-round matchup against the No. 6 seed Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday afternoon.
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