Nikola Jokić is now the second player in NBA history with 200 regular-season triple-doubles. Only Russell Westbrook has more, and the season-long chase now hinges on how quickly Jokić closes the gap.

The milestone night was efficient but not clean. Jokić shot 8 of 13 from the field and 5 of 5 from the free-throw line in 34 minutes, according to NBA.com’s official game log. He also had seven turnovers and finished plus-17.

Jokić hit 200 far faster than Westbrook did

The pace stands out. Jokić got there in his 12th season. Westbrook compiled his total over 18 seasons. Jokić reached No. 200 exactly 11 years after his NBA debut.

The target is now fixed. Westbrook retired after last season, so his total will not grow. Every triple-double Jokić adds shrinks a gap that can no longer widen. The record chase has become a storyline for the whole season.

Recent output suggests the chase may not last long. Jokić’s 199th came just four days before No. 200. That night he had 35 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists. Denver rallied from 23 points down to beat New Orleans 141-135 in overtime.

The Pelicans have been a frequent victim. Jokić has 16 career triple-doubles against them. That is six more than he has against any other team. Each of his last two came against New Orleans. Nuggets coach David Adelman put the overall total in perspective. He called it “two seasons plus an All-Star break of triple-doubles.”

Denver evens its record as New Orleans stays winless

The win lifted Denver to 2-2 and dropped the Pelicans to 0-4. It also completed a home-and-home sweep of New Orleans. Denver never trailed. The Nuggets outscored the Pelicans 37-18 in the first quarter.

Jamal Murray scored 23 points. Aaron Gordon added 15 points and 11 rebounds. Zion Williamson led New Orleans with 25 points. His fourth-quarter 3 cut the gap to 88-83. The Pelicans made only 7 of 30 3-point attempts.

Jokić’s next chance comes Friday, Oct. 30, at Phoenix at 10 p.m. ET. That West Group A game falls on the opening night of the Emirates NBA Cup. Denver then meets the Indiana Pacers at Arena CDMX in the NBA Mexico City Game on Nov. 7. Each of those games offers Jokić another chance to close in. Cup Group Play continues on Fridays through Nov. 27, with extra dates on Nov. 24 and 25. The championship is set for Dec. 11 at Hinkle Fieldhouse.