The Sacramento Kings were defeated by the Denver Nuggets 132-123 on Thursday night. Denver’s overall record now stands at 28-16 after this victory, with 12 wins and 3 defeats in their previous 15 games. The Nuggets have scored 130 points or more in a single game for the tenth time this season.
Against Sacramento, Nikola Jokić had an incredible performance, scoring 35 points on 12 of 19 shots, pulling down 22 rebounds, and dishing out 17 assists. In NBA history, he is the only player to record such numbers in a single game. Jokić’s incredible full-court shot at the end of the third quarter was one of his most notable performances.
Jokić is the only player to record at least five straight triple-double games prior to the fourth quarter since the 1996–97 campaign. Interestingly, 14 of his 20 triple-doubles this season—which leads the league—have been completed in three quarters or less.
Christian Braun made a substantial contribution, scoring 21 points on 8 of 14 shots. In addition to recording two steals and one block on defence, he has scored 20 points or more in four of his last five games.
Denver put up a dominant display right on, scoring 40 points in the opening quarter. By halftime, the squad had a 22-point lead thanks to a further 12–4 surge in the second quarter.
In the third quarter, the Kings started to pick some steam, but the Nuggets responded with a 16–5 run. Jokić made an incredible buzzer-beater during this span, bringing the lead back to 25 points.
With a 14-0 surge to start the fourth quarter, Sacramento put up one last fight. As Doug McDermott made three straight three-pointers to cut the advantage to just five points, Denver’s predicament deteriorated. Head coach Michael Malone responded by using tried-and-true tactics, including a number of post-up plays for Jokić, whose 13 points in the fourth quarter were essential in helping the Nuggets win.