A great basketball player ascending in history and a rookie climbing a scorebook for the first time led the Nuggets to a drаmаtic comeback that made spectators forget who was gone for a few hours.
Nikola Jokic scored his 108th career triple-double in his 604th game, Julian Strawther scored 21 important points, and the Nuggets defeated the Pelicans 134-116 at Ball Arena on Monday night.
“That 20-point lead could have gone to 30, but we kind of got back in the game before halftime,” coach Michael Malone said. “… Win for the team.”
Denver (7-1) hosts the Warriors on Wednesday and is flawless at home. Starting point guard Jamal Murray (right hamstring ιnjury) is projected to miss that game and longer, but the Nuggets played well offensively in his absence. They ended the game with a 93-55 run on 37 assists and nine turnovers.
After New Orleans led 12 at halftime, Denver thrashed them 40-21 in the third quarter. Jokic bullied Jordan Hawkins in transition, spun and scored while being fouled to give the Nuggets an 81-80 lead with 4:32 left. Despite Denver’s early 16-2 run, the stadium erupted.
By quarter’s end, Jokic passed LeBron James and Jason Kidd for fourth in NBA history with a triple-double. Next in history is Magic Johnson (137). He had 35 points, 14 rebounds, and 12 assists.
“It’s hard to sаy he’s gotten better because he’s been so great for so long,” Malone said. He has grown and improved, but I see his presence. Him being present. His emotional attachment to teammates.”
When Jokic needed a break in the fourth, Strawther supported him. Gonzaga’s rookie shot 8 for 13 from the field and 5 for 9 from three, and he scored 12 in the fourth quarter to excite the fans.
“If I’m gonna get in the game, I’ve gotta make shots,” Strawther said. “The team expects that from me. My coach expects that.”
Denver had 22 points and 9 rebounds from Michael Porter Jr. Gordon had 15 points and 12 assists.
Jokic prospered while Pelicans’ superstar was contained. Zion Williamson played his debut game at Ball Arena in front of a throng. The Nuggets and Pelicans had played 10 times since his 2019 draft. In spring 2021, when CоVID-19 restrictions limited attendance, he played five games, two of them in Denver.
In his last game in Denver, on April 28, 2021, Jokic blocked his game-tying shot at the rim. Gordon and Peyton Watson headed the bottling this time. Williamson scored 20 on 22 shots.
Denver had depth issues in the first half. Without Murray, Michael Malone had to be inventive with his lineups, and the Nuggets struggled. The first quarter ended with eight of their 11 made baskets assisted, 16 in the paint, and one turnover. By making 10 of their first 14 3s, the Pelicans led 61-41 in the second quarter. Denver started 2/15.
As Malone chose Reggie Jackson, Christian Braun, Strawther, Gordon (to counter Williamson), and Zeke Nnaji, Jokic appeared to rest after playing the entire first quarter.
Not Williamson or Ingram, but Hawkins, Matt Ryan, and Dyson Daniels burned the makeshift second unit. The three shot 14 for 21 in the half, including 9 for 14 from 3, for 38 points.
As expected, only a bench player could revive Denver. Three straight 3-pointers by Strawther started the revival.