Jokic’s Triple-Double Leads Nuggets to Victory Over Pacers
Los Angeles, CA – Nikola Jokic delivered a sensational 31-point triple-double performance as the Denver Nuggets held off a late rally from the Indiana Pacers to secure a 114-109 victory on Tuesday.
The game in Indianapolis was a rollercoaster affair, with the lead changing hands 12 times before the Nuggets managed to establish a narrow advantage in the final quarter.
Both teams enjoyed double-digit leads at various stages of the game. The Pacers took control in the second quarter, building a 13-point advantage, only to be thwarted by a dominant third quarter by the Nuggets. Denver outscored Indiana 39-19 in the third period to regain control and assert their authority as the reigning NBA champions.
However, the Pacers staged a comeback late in the game, erasing the Nuggets’ 13-point lead in the fourth quarter to briefly take the lead. Yet, Denver responded with a late scoring flourish to secure the victory.
Following the game, Jokic acknowledged the team’s sluggish start but praised their strong second half performance. “The game opened slow, we didn’t have energy,” said Jokic. “The whole first half was bad, but the second half was good for us – we controlled the pace, we got the momentum, we were the aggressive ones, and we took the aggressiveness to them. We had a really good third quarter. We controlled the pace. We just need to do that in more of the game.”
Jokic’s triple-double consisted of 31 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists, leading the way for the Nuggets alongside Jamal Murray, who contributed 31 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists.
Myles Turner led the scoring for the Pacers with 22 points, while Pascal Siakam, a new addition to the team, finished with 16 points. Moreover, Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle was ejected during the game for disputing a no-foul call on Siakam during the third quarter.
Reflecting on his ejection, Carlisle stated, “I got run out because I didn’t like what I was seeing out there at all. Not one bit. I’ll leave it at that.”
In other NBA action on Tuesday, the New York Knicks staged a remarkable late rally to defeat their crosstown rivals, the Brooklyn Nets, 108-103. The Nets held a 10-point lead in the third quarter, but the Knicks outscored them 32-18 in the final period to secure the comeback victory. Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson led the way for the Knicks, each scoring 30 points, while Mikal Bridges impressed for the Nets with 36 points, including seven three-pointers.
The NBA continues to provide thrilling and closely contested matches, showcasing the incredible talent and competitiveness of the teams. Fans can look forward to more exciting matchups as the season progresses.