Nikola Jokic Leads Nuggets to Victory with 31 Points, 15 Rebounds Against Raptors

In a compelling showdown, Nikola Jokic showcased his brilliance with 31 points and 15 rebounds, steering the Denver Nuggets to a 113-104 triumph over the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night. Despite a late comeback attempt by the Raptors, the Nuggets secured the victory and improved to 19-10 for the season.

Canada’s own Jamal Murray contributed 20 points for Denver, earning praise from the crowd with a standing ovation during pre-game introductions. The Nuggets, riding a wave of success, have now won five of their last six games.

Scottie Barnes led the charge for the Raptors with an impressive 30 points, but Toronto’s efforts were not enough to overcome Denver’s resilience. Pascal Siakam and Precious Achiuwa also made notable contributions with 18 and 13 points, respectively.

The game saw Caldwell-Pope and Murray combining for a pivotal 7-0 run, giving Denver its first lead at 18-13. The Nuggets maintained control, holding a 29-20 edge at the end of the opening quarter.

In the second quarter, Toronto struggled with turnovers, committing six within the first 6:48 of the frame. Denver capitalized on the mistakes, going up 45-33. Michael Porter Jr.’s floater extended the Nuggets’ lead to 19 points, concluding the first half with a 61-44 advantage.

Despite Toronto’s efforts to cut the deficit in the third quarter, Jokic’s layup and free throw extended Denver’s lead to 85-64. The Raptors found their rhythm in the final quarter, narrowing the gap to five points at 99-94 with 5:20 remaining. However, Denver responded with a 9-2 run, securing the win.

Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic drew parallels between Jokic and Scottie Barnes, highlighting Barnes’ playmaking abilities. The Raptors, now 11-16 for the season, face the Philadelphia 76ers next, while the Nuggets (19-10) take on the Brooklyn Nets.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on December 20, 2023.