When the Denver Nuggets were bounced from the playoffs earlier than expected, all eyes turned to Nikola Jokic. Critics questioned whether the three-time MVP could truly carry a team. But a deeper look at NBA history reveals a surprising truth: Jokic has done more with less than almost any superstar in league history.

HoopsHype recently crunched the numbers to find which players have won the most playoff games without an All-Star teammate by their side. The results are eye-opening. Only LeBron James, a four-time champion with over 200 more playoff appearances, has more wins in this category than Jokic. James sits at 66 playoff wins without an All-Star teammate, while Jokic has 51—and counting.

What makes Jokic's achievement even more impressive is how quickly he's climbed the list. His total would be higher if Jamal Murray hadn't made his first All-Star team this season. And if Murray doesn't become a perennial All-Star, Jokic could surpass LeBron sooner than expected, given he still has plenty of prime years ahead.

LeBron's record, however, comes with an asterisk. In 2016, he won 16 playoff games—and an NBA championship—without an All-Star teammate. But that's more of a technicality. Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, both multi-time All-Stars, simply weren't named All-Stars that season. Irving missed the first two months due to injury, while Love struggled through a down regular season, shooting just 41.9% from the field and 36% from three. Both were still All-Star caliber players, just not All-Stars on paper.

Jokic, on the other hand, earned his 2022-23 playoff wins the hard way. No technicalities. No asterisks. Just pure dominance with a supporting cast that, for the most part, didn't include All-Star recognition. As his career continues, don't be surprised if he takes this record outright. It's only a matter of time.