Jokić reaches 200 triple-doubles. The box score still deserves a close read.

Nikola Jokić's 200th regular-season triple-double came in a Denver win, with a stat line that explains both his reach and the limits of any single milestone. He finished with 21 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists as the Nuggets beat the Pelicans 104-91 in New Orleans on Wednesday.

Only Russell Westbrook, with 209, has more. Jokić has reached a place occupied by one other player while remaining the center through whom Denver can score, rebound and organize its offense. The round number is worth celebrating because of the range of work it represents.

The work behind the round number

Wednesday's official box score records eight makes in 13 field-goal attempts and five free throws without a miss. Jokić did not attempt a three-pointer. He collected 11 defensive rebounds and two offensive rebounds, and Denver outscored New Orleans by 17 points during his 34:17 on the floor.

The rest of that line belongs in the account, too: seven turnovers and four fouls. A triple-double measures volume across three categories. It does not certify a flawless performance, explain every possession or assign one player all the credit for a win.

Jamal Murray scored 23 points and made five three-pointers. Aaron Gordon added 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Christian Braun scored 15. Denver finished with 30 assists on 37 made field goals. Jokić supplied a third of those assists, a substantial share within a team effort.

Nine to tie, ten to pass

Using the NBA's current regular-season totals, Jokić needs nine more triple-doubles to tie Westbrook and ten to pass him. Those are counts, not a forecast of when the record will change. Playoff triple-doubles are a separate record and do not belong in this comparison.

New Orleans got 25 points from Zion Williamson but shot 7-for-30 from three and committed 19 turnovers. Denver moved to 2-2. That leaves the Nuggets with plenty of ordinary season work ahead, even on a night that supplied an extraordinary career marker.