Nikola Jokic Records Second Triple-Double of the Season as Denver Nuggets Triumph Over Utah Jazz, 110-102

Nikola Jokic secured his second triple-double of the young season as the Denver Nuggets, the defending champions, defeated the Utah Jazz with a score of 110-102 on Monday night. Jokic showcased his prowess with 27 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds, contributing to the Nuggets’ unblemished 4-0 record. Aaron Gordon added 21 points and seven rebounds to the victory, while Jamal Murray contributed 18 points and 14 assists.

On the Utah Jazz side, Lauri Markkanen had a stellar performance with 27 points and 14 rebounds, and Walker Kessler scored 22 points while grabbing 13 rebounds. Talen Horton-Tucker put up 16 points, John Collins chipped in with 15 points, and Collin Sexton contributed 12 points.

Denver held an 85-74 lead early in the fourth quarter after a three-pointer by Christian Braun, but Utah responded with Sexton sinking a three-pointer and Murray turning the ball over, bringing the score to 85-80 with 9:07 remaining. Following a timeout, Jokic made a shot in the lane, Markkanen’s shot was blocked, and Braun executed a layup. After a Sexton layup, Jokic assisted Gordon for a dunk, extending the lead to 93-82 with another dunk by Gordon. The Jazz managed to narrow the gap to 100-93 with a three-point play by Kessler with 3:09 left, but Murray sealed the game with a three-pointer from the wing, giving the Nuggets a ten-point advantage. Although Utah made a final push to get within 106-100, Denver held on for the win.

Denver enjoyed a 13-point lead at halftime and extended their advantage at the beginning of the third quarter. Jokic scored a 16-footer and a hook shot, making it 62-45, before Utah staged an 8-2 run to cut the deficit to 11 with 7:19 remaining in the period. Markkanen’s three-pointer reduced Denver’s lead to 69-61 with 5:41 left in the third. The Nuggets reestablished their 11-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.

The game began with Denver leading by nine points, but the Jazz reduced the deficit to two points. The Nuggets then ended the first quarter with a 10-point lead. In the second quarter, a three-pointer by Murray gave the Nuggets a 38-24 lead, but Utah managed to get within 40-33 after two free throws by Kelly Olynyk. Jokic scored the final five points of the second quarter, including a three-pointer from the top of the circle, giving Denver a halftime lead of 58-45.