NBA Power Rankings: Giannis, Bucks Holding Strong at Halfway Mark

Nikola Jokic became only the third player ever to average a 30-point triple double in a playoff series as the Denver Nuggets closed out the Phoenix Suns in six games.

Kevin Durant had high praise for Jokic after the game.

“Jokic is an all-time great,” Durant said. “He’s going to go down as one of the all-time great centers to ever touch a basketball.”

Durant, asked if he was surprised by Jokic’s dominance over the course of a best-of-seven series, said he “wasn’t surprised at all” and that “I always knew how great he was.”

“It just means a lot from someone who – the guy is amazing,” Jokic said. “He’s bringing so much attention (from our defense). Just a regular post-up or regular dribble, we were all looking at him. So when someone like that and someone who won it, who was an MVP and scoring champion, best scorer in the NBA says something like that, it means a lot.”

Washington Wizards guard Malcolm Brogdon could make his season debut as soon as Sunday. Brogdon has been out while recovering from a thumb injury, but he’s been removed from the Wizards injury report for their game against the Pistons on Sunday.

Washington acquired Brogdon in a trade with the Portland Trail Blazers this past offseason. The Wizards also acquire rookie guard Bub Carrington in that deal, which sent Deni Avdija to Portland.

The Wizards hope Brogdon will provide a young team with a veteran backcourt presence. Ideally, the combo guard will prove his healthy and will become a trade asset for Washington on an expiring $22.5 million contract.