Jokic posts triple-double by halftime, Nuggets rout Wolves

DENVER (AP)— Nikola Jokic posted his 19th triple-double of the season byhalftime and the Denver Nuggets rode a 49-point first quarter to a146-112 rout of the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night.

Jokicfinished with 20 points, 16 assists and 12 rebounds. It was thesecond time in his career the big man has notched a triple-doubleby halftime. Jokic took a seat late in the third quarter with theWestern Conference leaders ahead by a large margin.

Denver led49-19 after the first quarter — including a 32-2 run — as theNuggets shot 79.2% from the floor. The 49 points tied for thesecond-most in a quarter in the franchise’s NBA history. MichaelPorter Jr. led the way by scoring 19 of his 30 points in theopening period.

AaronGordon added 24 for the Nuggets, who set season highs in points andassists (44).

AnthonyEdwards and Luka Garza both had 19 points for Minnesota. Thefrustration for the Timberwolves flashed with D’Angelo Russellgetting ejected after picking up two technical fouls in thirdquarter. He had 10 points.

On Sunday in Minnesota, theTimberwolves cruised past Denver 128-98, but the Nuggets werewithout four starters in Jokic, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, JamalMurray and Gordon.