Jusuf Nurkic’s Historic Achievement
In an impressive and surprising turn of events, Jusuf Nurkic has recently achieved an unparalleled feat in Utah Jazz history by becoming the first player in the franchise’s existence to record three consecutive triple-doubles. This week, Nurkic has stepped into the spotlight, dethroning Nikola Jokic, if only momentarily, as the reigning triple-double king of the NBA.
Record-Breaking Streak
On January 25, 2026, Nurkic secured his place in the record books, starting his impressive streak with a remarkable performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he logged 16 points, 18 rebounds, and 10 assists — his first triple-double since the feat was last achieved by Jordan Clarkson in 2024, and only the second for the Jazz in 16 years.
Following that, he continued his remarkable run by assisting 14 baskets to accompany his scoring and rebounding in a game against the San Antonio Spurs, a performance reminiscent of Jazz legend Pete Maravich‘s back-to-back triple-doubles during his time with the team in New Orleans.
Elite Company
Then came a game that solidified Nurkic’s place in franchise lore. The center, defying expectations, recorded his third straight quadruple-double against the Miami Heat on Saturday night, with a stat line of 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists. With this feat, Nurkic joins an elite group of only four centers in NBA history to achieve three consecutive triple-doubles.
Impact and Legacy
Nurkic’s achievement places him amongst the few Jazz players with triple-double records, aligning him with former greats like Pete Maravich (7), Mark Eaton (6), Karl Malone (3), and Andrei Kirilenko (3). Despite playing just 36 games in a Jazz jersey, he has already made a notable impact, though his performance came at a cost; Nurkic now holds the record for the worst plus-minus in a triple-double, suffering a minus-30 in the unfortunate 31-point loss against Miami, a statistic that surpasses previous holders Elfrid Payton and Lonzo Ball.
Although Nurkic’s tenure with the Jazz may be short-lived, this remarkable streak will not be forgotten by fans, who, years later, will recall the era of triple-doubles and Nurkic’s unique accomplishment. With the Jazz set to face the Los Angeles Clippers again on Tuesday, the question remains: will Nurkic extend his historic streak to four?
