Nikola Jokic isn't supposed to be doing this. Usually, when a guy is this good at passing—we're talking "best passing big man in history" territory—he doesn't bother looking for his own shot until he absolutely has to. For years, the knock on the Joker was that he was too unselfish. He’d rather find a cutting Aaron Gordon for a dunk than take a wide-open ten-footer. But look at the numbers lately. Something has shifted.
If you’ve checked out jokic points per game recently, you know the vibe has changed in Denver. He isn't just a facilitator anymore; he's becoming one of the most efficient high-volume scorers the league has ever seen.
The Evolution of a Scoring Monster
It’s wild to think back to his rookie year when he was barely scraping together 10 points a night. Back then, he was just that "fat kid from Serbia" who got drafted during a Taco Bell commercial. Fast forward to the 2024-25 season, and he’s putting up roughly 29.7 points per game. He’s doing this while shooting over 57% from the field.
That’s basically unheard of.
Most guys who score 30 a night are taking 25 shots and living at the free-throw line. Jokic? He’s doing it on about 19 shots. He’s the king of the "Sombor Shuffle"—that weird, off-balance fadeaway that looks like it should miss by ten feet but always rattles home.
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Breaking Down the Seasonal Jumps
Watching his scoring climb has been like watching a slow-motion takeover.
- Early Years (2015-2018): He was a 10-to-18 PPG guy. He was still figuring out that he was better than everyone else on the floor.
- The MVP Leap (2020-2022): This is where the jokic points per game stat really exploded. He jumped to 26.4 and then 27.1 PPG.
- The Current Peak: In the last two seasons, he’s consistently hovered near that 30-point mark.
Honestly, the most terrifying part for the rest of the NBA is his three-point shooting. In 2024-25, he shot a career-high 41.7% from deep. When a 7-footer who can pass like Magic Johnson starts hitting threes like Steph Curry, you might as well just pack it up and go home.
Why the Scoring Surge Matters Now
People always ask: why did he start scoring more? It’s not like he suddenly got more athletic. He still runs like he’s wearing hiking boots in a swamp.
The real reason is the roster. With Michael Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray dealing with various ups and downs, the Nuggets have needed Jokic to be "The Man" more than ever. He’s responded by taking over fourth quarters. On Christmas Day 2025, he dropped 56 points on the Timberwolves. He also had 16 rebounds and 15 assists that night. Just a casual Tuesday for him, basically.
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Playoff Scoring is a Different Beast
If you think he slows down when the games get tough, you haven't been paying attention. His career playoff average is 27.4 points per game. That’s higher than his career regular-season average.
Most players see their efficiency tank in the postseason because defenses tighten up. Jokic? He thrives. He once averaged 31 points in a series against the Warriors while his second-best player was... well, it wasn't Jamal Murray. He just puts the team on his back.
What the Advanced Stats Tell Us
If we look at True Shooting Percentage (TS%), which accounts for threes and free throws, Jokic is often in the 65% to 70% range. To put that in perspective:
- League average is usually around 58%.
- Most "pure scorers" like Kevin Durant or Joel Embiid are in the low 60s.
- Jokic is breaking the scale.
He’s scoring more points per possession than almost anyone in modern history. It’s not just that he’s scoring a lot; it’s that he never wastes a shot. Every attempt is calculated. If he doesn't have a layup or a high-percentage floater, he passes. If you leave him alone, he punishes you.
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The Misconception About His "Slow" Pace
There's this idea that because Denver plays slow, Jokic’s points are "inflated" or something. It's actually the opposite. Because the Nuggets play at one of the slowest paces in the league, he has fewer opportunities to score. If he played in a fast-break system like the Pacers or the Kings, he’d probably be averaging 35 without breaking a sweat.
His jokic points per game total is a product of pure half-court brilliance. He grinds you down in the post, hits a hook shot, then hits a three the next trip down. It’s exhausting to watch, let alone defend.
How to Track His Performance Moving Forward
If you're trying to keep up with his scoring race, you've got to look at the matchups. He tends to score more against elite rim protectors. Why? Because he loves the challenge. He’ll drop 40 on Rudy Gobert just to prove a point.
Actionable Steps for Fans and Analysts:
- Watch the FG Attempts: If Jokic takes more than 20 shots, he’s almost guaranteed to hit the 35-point mark.
- Check the 3PT%: When he's hitting from outside, his gravity opens up the entire lane for Denver's cutters.
- Monitor the 4th Quarter: This is where his PPG usually gets a boost. He’ll have 15 points going into the fourth and finish with 32.
The bottom line is that Nikola Jokic has officially entered the "unstoppable scorer" phase of his career. He isn't just a passer anymore. He’s a guy who can get you 30 every single night while barely looking like he’s trying. It’s a privilege to watch, even if you’re a fan of the team he’s currently dismantling.
To get a better feel for his impact, keep an eye on his "Points Responsible For" (points plus assists). When you combine his scoring and his passing, he's often generating 50 to 60 points per game for the Nuggets. That is the real reason they are perennial title contenders. Keep tracking those box scores, but pay attention to the efficiency—that’s where the real magic happens.