How Nikola Jokic embarrassed Hakeem Olajuwon, according to Kendrick Perkins
Wednesday night, Nikola Jokić compiled one of the most dominant games you’ll ever see with a 55 point explosion against the Los Angeles Clippers to help you push the Denver Nuggets record in the young 2025-26 NBA season at an impressive 9-2. 25 of Jokic’s points came in the first quarter alone, and the outburst further cemented the three-time MVP’s status as the league’s best player alive, in case anyone needed a reminder.
On Thursday’s episode of “NBA Today,” ESPN NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins made a bold claim about Jokic comparing him to another historically great NBA center.
“(Nikola Jokic) makes (Hakeem) Olajuwon’s great games look like ordinary games … He’s the most skilled player to ever play the game … He’s the best center I’ve seen in 20 years,” Jokic said, per NBA on ESPN on X, formerly Twitter.
Indeed, Jokic has already passed Olajuwon in the eyes of most modern pundits on the list of greatest big men of all time, but performances like Wednesday’s only serve as further evidence for those claims.
Hot start for the Nuggets
Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets have overcome a frustrating season-opening loss to the Golden State Warriors by winning nine of their last ten games to move their record to 9-2.
While Jokic continues to dominate, new teammates Cam Johnson and Tim Hardaway Jr. are getting more comfortable in their new subjects, especially Hardaway, who had a hot shooting night Wednesday in Los Angeles.
Overall, the Nuggets are doing their best to keep pace with the reigning NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder, who have lost just once this year and have yet to have their second-best player, Jalen Williams, in uniform.
Either way, the Nuggets will take the floor next on Saturday night for a road game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
2025-11-13 23:09:00
