Charles Barkley Makes Major Admission About Nikola Jokic’s Historic Performances

Charles Barkley spoke about how everyone takes Nikola Jokic's performances for granted after scoring 55 points against the Clippers.

Charles Barkley Makes Major Admission About Nikola Jokic’s Historic Performances

Charles Barkley (Image credits - Firstsportz)

Three-time league MVP and arguably the best player in the league over the last five years, Nikola Jokic has shown no signs of slowing down. The Denver Nuggets center dropped another dominant display as the Nuggets defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 130-116 on Wednesday.

Jokic is considered the greatest draft steal in NBA history as the Serbian was selected in the second round of the 2014 NBA draft. The center also went on to help the Nuggets win their first ever NBA championship in 2023. Three MVP’s, one Finals MVP, 5-time All-NBA First team and a 7-time NBA All-Star, the accolades keep on piling for the Serbian.

Often regarded as a triple-double machine, the 2025-26 campaign has been no different for Jokic. The 30-year-old currently averages 28.8 points, 13.1 rebounds and 10.9 assists in 11 games so far, as the Nuggets sit at second in the Western conference with a 9-2 record.

NBA legend and analyst Charles Barkley had a few words to say about Jokic’s historic performance on ESPN and why Jokic is ahead of Victor Wembanyama in the MVP race right now:

What the Joker is doing, we are just taking this dude for granted. He is the best basketball player in the world. He just going out there and getting easy triple-doubles, he not getting them like 10 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists, he getting like 25, 16 and 17. If you have to take MVP right now, you would go with the Joker (over Wembanyama).

Nikola Jokic puts in a historic performance against the Clippers

Nikola Jokic ended the game against the Clippers with 55 points, 12 rebounds and six assists, with 25 of those points coming in the first quarter which was the highest in any quarter in his 10-year long NBA career. It was also the first time the Nuggets won a game in which the Joker scored 50 or more points as they were 0-4 in his previous 50-score games.

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Nikola Jokic put in a historic shift scoring 55 points against the Clippers (Image Credits – Hoop Central/X)

It was an extraordinary performance as he went 18 for 23 from the field, five of six from three and made 14 free throws from 16 attempts. A complete all-round performance as he looks to win his fourth MVP title after losing out to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander last season.

The Nuggets are right behind defending champions Oklahoma City Thunder, who are at the top with a record of 12-1 in 13 games. It looks like the two teams will have a long battle as to who will finish at the top, which could be an important factor in deciding the league MVP this season.

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Carmelo Anthony pays tribute to Nikola Jokic

There is no doubt that Jokic is the best player to ever put on a Nuggets jersey. His jersey number 15 will be retired when the Serb calls time but that leaves out another legend and player who donned the number 15 jersey for the Nuggets as well, Carmelo Anthony. Until a decision is made, the debate of whose number 15 will be retired will never end.

As an analyst on NBC, Anthony paid tribute and praised Jokic for his performances, stating:

We don’t get tired of greatness, we don’t get tired of great basketball. When you are watching greatness, watching great basketball, it is amazing.

While Anthony’s departure from the Nuggets did not end on the best of terms, he was instrumental for a lot of their wins and success in the 2000s. Some fans may want his jersey to be hanging in the Ball Arena while some have not yet moved past his sour departure.

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