Nikola Jokic delivered a flawless performance, scoring 26 points without missing a shot, and notched a triple-double to lead the Denver Nuggets to their season’s highest-scoring game, a 142-105 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies during Thursday’s NBA action.
Jokic achieved this feat with an 11-11 shooting from the field, making his only 3-point attempt and all three free throws. This follows his perfect 18-for-18 free throw shooting in a recent win against Golden State.
“I’ve never seen a triple-double before I played with him, and now I see them all the time,” Nuggets’ second-year forward Peyton Watson said.
Jokic’s triple-double, which included 14 rebounds and 10 assists, marks the 116th of his regular-season career, placing him fourth in NBA history. He’s now just 22 triple-doubles behind Magic Johnson for third place, with Russell Westbrook and Oscar Robertson leading the list.
Watson also facilitated Denver’s win, who scored a season-high 20 points, stepping in for the injured Aaron Gordon. Gordon is currently out due to injuries sustained from dog bites.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets, Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies Updates
The Grizzlies, missing their star Ja Morant due to illness, struggled without him. Morant had just returned from a 25-game suspension and had helped the team win all four games since his return. Memphis coach noted the team’s different dynamic without Morant, while Nuggets coach Michael Malone, acknowledged the advantage of Morant’s absence.
“Obviously, they’re a much different team with Ja Morant, so we caught a break with him being out tonight,” Malone said. “That team was playing great basketball. I was proud of our guys, once we learned about Ja not playing right before tip-off, our guys handled their business.”
Memphis’ Desmond Bane led with 23 points, and Marcus Smart added 17. The Grizzlies’ record falls to 6-20 when Morant isn’t playing.
“It’s never an excuse, one man down, next man up,” Grizzlies forward Ziaire Williams said. “They played really well, executed really well, we just missed some shots.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets, Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies Updates
Jamal Murray contributed significantly to Denver’s win, scoring 23 points and nine assists, marking his fourth consecutive game with 20 or more points. The Nuggets extended their winning streak to six games, their best this season.
After gaining an early lead, Memphis fell behind due to Denver’s 16-0 run. The Nuggets maintained dominance throughout the game, leading by as many as 38 points in the fourth quarter.
Upcoming games see the Grizzlies facing the Los Angeles Clippers, while the Nuggets will host the Oklahoma City Thunder.
