current location:HOME > Sports News > Tennis Life > Text content

Nikola Jokic's near-triple-double powers Nuggets past Thunder / News - Basketnews.com

nqajqrqw7months ago (05-17)Tennis Life116
Credit: USA TODAY Sports - Scanpix Credit USA TODAY Sports - Scanpix

Nikola Jokic had 35 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists, Aaron Gordon added 20 points and nine rebounds, and the host Denver Nuggets (44-31) beat the Oklahoma City Thunder (21-53) 113-107 (32-25, 26-24, 29-27, 26-31) on Saturday night.

Player of the Game Nikola  Jokic EFF 49 Nikola Jokic Points 35 Accuracy 13-15 Rebounds 12 Assists 8

Will Barton scored 18 points for the Nuggets (44-31), who earned a split of the four-game season series with Oklahoma City.

Theo Maledon scored 20 points, Aleksej Pokusevski finished with 17, Tre Mann added 15, Lindy Waters III 14, Isaiah Roby 12, and Aaron Wiggins 10 for the Thunder (21-53).

Oklahoma City tied it at 97 on Maledon's bank shot midway through the fourth, and Pokusevski scored on a goaltending call with 2:51 left to put the Thunder in front 105-103.

Jokic's floater and two Gordon free throws put Denver back in front, and Monte Morris hit a 3-pointer with 47.8 seconds left to make it 110-105.

Maledon made two free throws, but Jokic's three-point play with 23.3 seconds left sealed the win.

Denver took the lead early in the first quarter and went ahead by as much as nine before taking a 32-25 advantage into the second quarter.

The Nuggets went on an 8-0 run on their way to pushing their lead to 58-42 with 1:08 left in the second quarter. However, Pokusevski hit a 3-pointer and Mann was fouled while sinking another 3-pointer and hit the free throw for a quick seven points to end the half.

Oklahoma City went on an 11-2 run early in the third quarter to pull within 62-60, but Denver responded. Jokic converted a three-point play, Barton made a coast-to-coast layup and Gordon hit a 3-pointer to stretch the lead to eight.

Later in the quarter, Jeff Green's putback tip made it 76-66, and the Nuggets went ahead 85-70 on a floater by Jokic. They led 87-76 heading into the fourth.

Bones Hyland started the final quarter with two free throws for the Nuggets, but the Thunder rallied. Wiggins, Pokusevski, and Mann hit 3-pointers in less than two minutes to cut the deficit to 91-88 and prompt a Denver timeout. The Nuggets went back up by five, setting up the close finish.

Nuggets: Nikola Jokic 35 (13/14 2PT, 9/10 FT, 12 REB, 8 AST, 2 BLK), Aaron Gordon 20 (6/14 2PT, 2/3 3PT, 9 REB), Will Barton 18 (5/9 2PT, 2/7 3PT, 6 REB, 7 AST).

Thunder: Theo Maledon 20 (4/9 2PT, 2/4 3PT, 6/6 FT, 5 TO), Aleksej Pokusevski 17 (2/4 3PT, 5/6 FT, 5 REB, 5 AST), Tre Mann 15 (3/9 2PT, 2/6 3PT, 5 REB, 5 TO), Lindy Waters 14 (4/10 3PT, 3 STL), Isaiah Roby 12 (6/7 2PT, 7 REB, 2 BLK), Aaron Wiggins 10 (3/7 2PT).

Full game highlights:

Nikola Jokic highlights:

Thank you for reading us! Help us even more.
Share with friends:

“Nikola Jokic's near-triple-double powers Nuggets past Thunder / News - Basketnews.com” ofrelated articles

Tennis: ATP, WTA& Grand Slams and in Premium Tour talks but what role will Saudi Arabia play?

Tennis: ATP, WTA& Grand Slams and in Premium Tour talks but what role will Saudi Arabia play?

What lies in store for tennis' revamped future?Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Saudi Arabia already hosts the Next Gen ATP FinalsRussell Full...

Tennis: ATP, WTA& Grand Slams and in Premium Tour talks but what role will Saudi Arabia play?

Tennis: ATP, WTA& Grand Slams and in Premium Tour talks but what role will Saudi Arabia play?

What lies in store for tennis' revamped future?Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Saudi Arabia already hosts the Next Gen ATP FinalsRussell Full...

Donovan Mitchell trade rumors: Lakers, Heat and Nets lead suitors / News - Basketnews.com

Donovan Mitchell trade rumors: Lakers, Heat and Nets lead suitors / News - Basketnews.com

ESPN insider Brian Windhorst suggests the Lakers, Heat, Nets, and even the Rockets could make a move for Donovan Mitchell in the upcoming summer....

Stan Van Gundy defends Thibodeau's rotation: 'Everybody plays big minutes in the playoffs' / News - Basketnews.com

Stan Van Gundy defends Thibodeau's rotation: 'Everybody plays big minutes in the playoffs' / News - Basketnews.com

Stan Van Gundy doesn't think Tom Thibodeau is wearing Knicks' players out....

Bronny James puts up 4-point, 4-rebound performance at NBA Combine / News - Basketnews.com

Bronny James puts up 4-point, 4-rebound performance at NBA Combine / News - Basketnews.com

Bronny James, who is intending to declare for the 2024 NBA Draft, made his NBA Combine debut....

Wade Baldwin addresses future with Maccabi, relationship with Kendrick Nunn / News - Basketnews.com

Wade Baldwin addresses future with Maccabi, relationship with Kendrick Nunn / News - Basketnews.com

Wade Baldwin talked to BasketNews about the impact of his injury on the Panathinaikos-Maccabi series, his back-and-forth with Kendrick Nunn on and off...