Start 5: Nikola Jokić & the Nuggets host the NBA-best Cavs

Nikola Jokino has notched 11 triple doubles this season.

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The NBA’s top team, the 26-4 Cleveland Cavaliers, face reigning Kia MVP Ladder leader Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets tonight in the Mile High City (9 ET). With both teams in top form, this is a showdown basketball fans won’t want to miss.

Rewind to their last meeting

Just 22 days ago, these two powerhouses collided in Cleveland and produced a game for the ages filled with unforgettable highlights.

The Nuggets’ superstar delivered an impressive 27-point, 20-rebound, 11-assist triple-double. From dazzling footwork in the post to a dime from coast to coast, Jokić showed why he is one of the league’s best.

The performance marked his 139th career triple-double, surpassing Magic Johnson for third most all-time. Additionally, it was his eighth career game with 20+ points, 20+ rebounds and 10+ assists, tying Oscar Robertson for third in NBA history.

“His touches continue to amaze me,” Nuggets guard Jamal Murray said after the game. “He does everything on the field with a great attitude and has a will to win.”

Still, despite Jokić’s brilliance, Cleveland walked away with the 126-114 victory. The Cavs, the NBA leader in 3-point shooting percentage (40.6%), buried a season-high 22 threes at a 45.8% clip. The win moved Cleveland to 20-3, marking their best start since the 2008-09 campaign led by that season’s Kia MVP, LeBron James.

Cleveland’s historic pursuit

Fast forward to tonight, and the Cavs have an opportunity to do what even the 66-win ’08-09 team couldn’t – start 27-4 through their first 31 games.

“The results will take care of themselves,” Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson said. “We just want to keep going and keep focusing on our habits and improving day by day.”

Standing in the way is Jokić, who is averaging nearly a 30-point triple-double (30.7 ppg, 12.6 rpg, 9.4 apg) and a Nuggets team that hasn’t lost at home since Nov. 25.

Another place on League Pass

Tonight’s slate includes five other can’t-miss matchups, headlined by Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs visiting the Brooklyn Nets (7:30 ET).

Wembanyama delivered a historic #NBAXmas debut with 42 points, 18 rebounds, four blocks and six triples. He became the first player in NBA history to record 40+ points, 15+ rebounds, 4+ blocks and 5+ threes in a single game. Over his last five outings, Wemby is averaging 32.0 points, 10.4 rebounds, 6.6 blocks and 4.8 threes – a stat line unmatched in NBA history. Through 96 career games, he is the only player in league history with 350+ blocks and 200+ threes in that span (353 blocks, 213 threes).

Schedule for remaining league passes

• Knicks at Magic (7 ET)
• Wolves at Rockets (8 ET)
• Grizzlies at Pelicans (8 ET)
• Mavericks at Suns (9 ET)