### Nikola Jokic Makes History: Surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as All-Time Assists Leader for Centers On December 18, 2025, Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets achieved a historic milestone by surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the all-time leader in assists for centers in NBA history. This remarkable feat occurred during a game against the Orlando Magic, where Jokic not only led his team to a 126-115 victory but also recorded a triple-double with 23 points, 13 assists, and 11 rebounds. Jokic's achievement is significant as it highlights his exceptional playmaking ability and cements his legacy as one of the greatest passing big men in the history of the sport. The record-breaking assist brought his total to 5,667, surpassing Abdul-Jabbar's long-standing record of 5,660 assists, achieved over 1,560 games compared to Jokic's 789 fewer games played [https://thesportsdaily.org/news/nikola-jokic-breaks-kareem-abdul-jabbars-assists-record, https://www.denverpost.com/2025/12/18/nba-all-time-assists-leaders-nikola-jokic-centers-kareem-abdul-jabbar]. ### Breakdown of Jokic's Historic Achievement 1. **Record-Breaking Performance** - Jokic surpassed Abdul-Jabbar's assist record during the first half of the game against the Magic, marking a pivotal moment in his career [https://apnews.com/article/magic-nuggets-score-87a9311aacc9edab09c93f95790dcd7f]. 2. **Game Highlights** - The Nuggets overcame a 14-point deficit, fueled by a strong second quarter where they outscored the Magic 43-22. Jamal Murray contributed significantly with 32 points, including 20 in the second quarter [https://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/nikola_jokic_makes_nba_history_in_nuggets_win_vs_magic/s1_17250_43224674]. 3. **Jokic's Legacy** - This achievement not only places Jokic at the top of the assists leaderboard for centers but also solidifies his status as one of the best passing players in NBA history, with many considering him the greatest passing center of all time [https://fansided.com/nba/nikola-joki-is-officially-the-greatest-passing-center-of-all-time]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Assists Record**: - **Nikola Jokic**: 5,667 assists (as of December 18, 2025) - **Kareem Abdul-Jabbar**: 5,660 assists - **Games Played**: - Jokic: 789 fewer games than Abdul-Jabbar to achieve this record [https://heavy.com/sports/nba/denver-nuggets/nikola-jokic-all-time-assists-record]. - **Game Statistics**: - **Nuggets vs. Magic**: - Final Score: 126-115 - Jokic: 23 points, 13 assists, 11 rebounds - Murray: 32 points - Banchero (Magic): 26 points, 16 rebounds, 10 assists (triple-double) [https://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/nba_roundup_nikola_jokic_takes_all-time_assist_crown_among_centers/s1_17045_43225062]. ### Conclusion: A New Era for Centers in the NBA **Nikola Jokic's achievement of becoming the all-time assists leader among centers marks a significant milestone in NBA history.** 1. **Historic Record**: Surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's long-held record emphasizes Jokic's unique skill set and playmaking ability. 2. **Impact on the Game**: This accomplishment challenges traditional views on the role of centers in basketball, showcasing that they can be prolific playmakers. 3. **Future Implications**: Jokic's success may inspire a new generation of players to develop similar skills, further evolving the position of center in the NBA [https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/denver-nuggets/news/nuggets-nikola-jokic-most-hilarious-answer-breaking-kareem-abdul-jabbar-nba-record/d81a638023b2675e35408425].