Nikola Jokić adds KAJ for most of the center’s assists
Nikola Jokic did it. The Denver Nuggets superstar big man just passed NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most assists by a center in league history.
The historic dime, the 5,661st of Jokic’s career, came in the third period of Thursday night’s game against the visiting Orlando Magic in the Mile High City, when Jalen Pickett found himself open for a 3-point attempt.
With this coin, Nikola Jokic passes Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most CENT assists in NBA history 🪙
JOKER – 5,661 (and counting)
I – 5,660pic.twitter.com/l5nHo52Sz5— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 19, 2025
Jabar needed 1,560 games in a total of 22 NBA seasons to dish out 5,660 assists, while Jokic is only in his 11th campaign in the league. The showdown against the Magic is also his 771st appearance in an NBA game.
Of course, Abdul-Jabbar was more focused on creating buckets with his unstoppable sky-hook shot than finding his teammates for sweet scoring chances. After all, he had Magic Johnson do it for him for many years during their time together as members of the Los Angeles Lakers.
The The Nuggets big man isn’t too shabby a shootertoo, but what sets him apart from most other great men of his generation (and many others in the past) is the ability to bring the stone to his teammates.
It was only a matter of time before Jokic broke Abdul-Jabbar’s assist record for centers. If not against the Magic, it would happen in one of the Nuggets’ next games.
In a way, Jokic is a point guard trapped in the center’s massive body. His vision is elite even by guard standards. In addition to his height, which helps him see the floor better, Jokic’s high basketball IQ plays a big part in why he is such a talented passer.
2025-12-19 03:31:00
