At this point, there aren’t enough superlatives to describe just how special of a player Nikola Jokic is and has been for the Denver Nuggets since the turn of the decade. Jokic proved he’s one of the most unique talents in NBA history again on Wednesday with a 55-point outing against the Los Angeles Clippers, a game in which he outscored LA’s whole starting lineup by himself.

Jokic made 18-of-23 attempts from the field overall and 5-of-6 from 3-point range, in addition to making 14-of-16 attempts from the free throw line in a virtuous shooting performance that saw him shoot at least 78 percent in each of those three areas. Perhaps the most shocking aspect of Jokic’s uber-efficient stat line is the fact that Jokic missed his first two FG attempts of the game.

ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) on X 55 POINTS ON 78% FROM THE FLOOR SHOULD BE ILLEGAL 😱 😱 😱 Nikola Jokic went SUPERNOVA against the Clippers with a 50-piece BEFORE THREE-QUARTER TIME!!! 📊 55 PTS | 12 REB | 6 AST | 18-23FG | 5-6 3PM | 14-16 FT #NBA

“It was just a good night to the players,” Jokic said. “The guys, especially in the fourth quarter, (kept) giving me the ball and it was going in. I just keep shooting it. I didn't open the game really good. I think I missed like two, three layups. After that, it felt good.”

Change Of Fortune

The Nuggets’ misfortune in games where Jokic scored at least 50 points had been one of the strangest trends in the NBA leading into this game, as the franchise had lost the three previous instances in which Jokic had registered a 50-point game in his career. Those fortunes changed on Wednesday, as Jokic finally got to celebrate a marquee scoring performance with a win, too.

“I just try to play the game,” Jokic said. “I think I scored 50 a bunch of times and we lost every time. I think this is the first time I scored 50 that we won. It's a good feeling … , it just happened. I don't think the ball game can change the identity of the team. I had a good night. The ball was going in and we won the game. The guys were running plays for me. It's simple as that.”

Underdog (@Underdog) on X Tonight is the first time the Nuggets have won a game in which Nikola Jokic has scored 50+ points 🤯 He has 5 total games scoring 50+ PTS in his career

Through ten games, Jokic leads the Nuggets with 26.2 points, 13.2 rebounds, 11.4 assists and 1.9 steals per game. His rebounding and assist averages also rank second and third in the league, respectively. Jokic will look to continue a potential fourth MVP campaign on Saturday as they travel to Minnesota to face Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves at 7 p.m. MST.