Nikola Jokic Creates History Against the Houston Rockets

On Friday night, the Denver Nuggets had an odd first half against the Houston Rockets. Denver looked terrible on both ends, finishing the half down 60-43, but their superstar center Nikola Jokic had a historic first half.

Denver Nuggets vs Houston Rockets - November 25, 2023

With 25 points, 13 rebounds, and 3 assists in the first half, Jokic became the first player to record that line or better in the first half of a game since the NBA started keeping such statistics in 1996, according to Basketball Reference’s StatHead. Since the NBA started monitoring such stats, only Joel Embiid and Anthony Davis have had a first half with at least 25 points and 13 rebounds, but neither has had three assists.

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While Jokic had a great offensive half, it wasn’t enough to pull his team close to Houston, as nobody else on the Nuggets could get anything going. Jokic was essentially the entire offense for Denver in the first half, scoring 25 of the team’s 43 points. While the reigning Finals MVP is capable of handling such an offensive burden, he needs his teammates to get going, particularly with Jamal Murray out.

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Since Murray’s departure, the Nuggets have gone 4-4 and are in risk of losing another game on Friday night against a dangerous Rockets club. Houston may have been an easy victory in previous seasons, but that is no longer the case.