Nikola Jokic turns 30 and he's having one of his best seasons, averaging a triple-double

DENVER (AP) — The Denver Nuggets gathered around Nikola Jokic near the 3-point line Wednesday and belted out a rather off-key version of “ happy birthday ” in honor of him turning 30.

Usually so poised on the court, the three-time NBA MVP seemed almost bashful.

“I don’t like my birthday,” Jokic explained. “Getting older.”

And better?

“Like wine,” he cracked.

In a lot of ways, Jokic remains very much a kid at heart, right down to his new Peppa Pig-themed sneakers. But his game has certainly matured to the point where he keeps setting the bar higher and higher for himself and just might be in the midst of his finest season of them all. He's averaging 29.8 points, 12.6 rebounds and 10.2 assists.

In addition, he's posted a league-leading 25 triple-doubles, which is just four shy of tying the franchise record he set in 2022-23.

His coach, Michael Malone, was stumped by just what might be the ceiling for his big man?

“Geez, I don’t know. He keeps on pushing the envelope,” said Malone, whose team will host Charlotte on Thursday night. “When you’re dealing with greatness, you never want to put a ceiling on that. We want to give him room to grow and and watch that, because it’s really fun to be a part of that process.”

Jokic began suiting up for the Nuggets as a 20-year-old kid who needed to improve his fitness and hone his footwork. Over the past decade, he's blossomed into one of the league's most hard-to-contain players and led the Nuggets to their first NBA championship in 2023.

He’s married now with two young kids. He has a bronze medal he earned with Serbia last summer at the Paris Olympics. His sponsor, 361 Degrees, is getting ready to launch his signature shoe, which is inspired by Peppa Pig, the character in the long-running children’s series. (“They made it. I like it. They're going to be cool,” Jokic said.)

This season, he's showing off the latest wrinkle to his game — long-range shooting. He's hitting a career-best 45% from beyond the 3-point line.

“He is playing the best basketball of his life,” Malone said. "At his heart, he’s still the same person. He’s still Nikola Jokic from Sombor, Serbia. He’s never forgotten where he’s come from, or who’s helped him get here.”

Given his style of play, Malone believes Jokic could last in the league at an elite level for a while.

“The way (Jokic) dominates the game is with intelligence and skill, not athleticism,” Malone said. “He’s not driving down the lane and dunking on people every night. So I think that bodes well for his longevity."

That is, if the desire remains strong. He said that sticking around long enough so his kids can see him play is, “not going to be a factor for me."

Jokic returned to town after competing for Chuck’s Global Stars in the All-Star Game last weekend. He had two points in 10 minutes as his squad lost to Shaq’s OGs in the final.

It wasn't exactly his idea of rest and relaxation.

“Part of the business, part of the job,” Jokic said of his trip to San Francisco for the weekend festivities. "I would rather be somewhere else ... it’s a blessing and a curse.”

Now, it’s back to work for the Nuggets, who have won eight in a row and are currently the third seed in the Western Conference. They're returning to health, too, with Michael Porter Jr. (hamstring), Russell Westbrook (hamstring) and Aaron Gordon (calf) all going through practice Wednesday. The only player missing was Peyton Watson (knee).

They have 27 games remaining to tinker with lineups and find the right combinations for a playoff push.

“People say, ‘Oh, that’s a tough decision,’” Malone said. “I look at it the opposite way. I’m really fortunate to have a tough decision to make where you have quality players that have really impacted winning. It’s never about one player. It’s about what’s best for our team.”

That’s the attitude of Jokic, too.

“He’s our heartbeat,” said Julian Strawther, who took part in the Rising Stars event over the weekend. “It’s not always being a vocal leader but leading by example with the things he does and how hard he works. Having him on our side, it makes us feel a lot better.”

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Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija, left, collects a loose ball as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) gets tangled up with Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan in the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Portland Trail Blazers guard Dalano Banton, center, is fouled by Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, right, while driving to the basket past center Nikola Jokic in the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, fields a pass as Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara defends in the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, shakes hands with New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns during the NBA All-Star basketball game Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, drives to the basket as Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara defends in the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic is introduced during the NBA All-Star basketball game Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — Glenn Phillips made 107 from 49 balls and Michael Bracewell a half-century from 19 deliveries as New Zealand turned the tables on India to win the fourth Twenty20 by 87 runs on Friday.

Phillips and Bracewell (65) put on 115 for the fifth wicket as New Zealand reached 259-7, its highest total in T20 cricket, after being sent in.

After suffering at the hands of the India batters in the third international on Tuesday in which it conceded 199 in only 13.2 overs, New Zealand took advantage of the short boundaries at Eden Park and punished India's bowlers with 20 sixes and 14 fours.

India already held an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

Phillips' century was his third in T20s and he was out in the last over, one run short of his highest score.

“It was a very good pitch to bat on and I think we made the most of it, which is fantastic,” Phillips said. "(Bracewell) and I talked about how the wind from one end made it the easier end to hit from.

“The way Beast (Bracewell) hits it, that doesn't really matter.”

India struggled with the bat for the first time in the series, losing two wickets in the first over and four inside the powerplay.

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner took a wicket with his first ball and two in his first over, surpassing 150 wickets in T20s. Pacer Jacob Duffy took 4-23 while Tilak Varma top-scored for India with 35.

Abhishek Sharma, who thrilled India fans with a century from 35 balls on Tuesday, started strongly with three fours and a six but was out for 35.

New Zealand started poorly, losing Tim Seifert (3) in its first over, then Daryl Mitchell (24) inside the powerplay. Mitchell hit two sixes and two fours off Mayank Yadav before falling in the same over.

Bevon Jacobs came and went quickly for 7 while Phillips continued to pace the New Zealand innings, reaching his half century from 31 balls with five fours and three sixes.

He found a kindred spirit in Bracewell who reached his third T20 half-century with four fours and four sixes at a strike rate of 260.

New Zealand reached 174-4 after 15 overs, then added 85 more from the last five overs.

Phillips is the top run-scorer in the series with 276 in the four matches so far including scores of 82 not out, 70, 17 and 107 at an average of 92.

The final T20 at Hamilton on Sunday will be followed by five one-day internationals and two tests.

See AP’s full cricket coverage here

India's Tilak Varma reacts during the T20 cricket international between New Zealand and India in Auckland, New Zealand, Friday, Oct. 30, 2026. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

New Zealand's Finn Allen reacts after he was dismissed during the T20 cricket international between New Zealand and India in Auckland, New Zealand, Friday, Oct. 30, 2026. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

New Zealand's Glenn Phillips bats during the T20 cricket international between New Zealand and India in Auckland, New Zealand, Friday, Oct. 30, 2026. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

New Zealand's Michael Bracewell bats during the T20 cricket international between New Zealand and India in Auckland, New Zealand, Friday, Oct. 30, 2026. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

New Zealand's Glenn Phillips celebrates his century during the T20 cricket international between New Zealand and India in Auckland, New Zealand, Friday, Oct. 30, 2026. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

India's Abhishek Sharma, left, and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi gesture after winning during the third T20 cricket international match between New Zealand and India in Wellington, New Zealand, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. (Kerry Marshall/Photosport via AP)

India's Abhishek Sharma celebrates his hundred during the third T20 cricket international match between New Zealand and India in Wellington, New Zealand, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. (Kerry Marshall/Photosport via AP)