By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Trailing by 18 points in the fourth quarter, the Denver Nuggets managed to come out of the Chase Center with an on-the-road win thanks to a 40-footer buzzer-beater by Nikola Jokic, eventually beating the Golden State Warriors concluding a 25-4 record for the final 130-127 victory.
The Serbian Joker not only won the game for Mike Malone’s team but also concluded almost with a triple-double of 34 points, 9 rebounds, and 10 assists, shooting 13/16 from the field and 6/7 at the line.
Saying he told Nikola Jokic to “take two dribbles over halfcourt and shoot”, Mike Malone praised the back-to-back MVP for such a play. “And he executed the play to perfection. But great players make great plays. And Nikola catching the ball and making something happen behind that is just incredible”, the Denver Nuggets head coach commented.
Nikola Jokic also talked after the victory. “[I wanted to] get a little bit closer and just throw it to the basket. I think those shots are the easiest shots to take. You don’t have any other option. I think we just didn’t want to give up. We could easily have excuses just to lose the game or we have a back-to-back tomorrow. But the guys didn’t drop their hats. We were aggressive”, the Serbian superstar added.
On the other game played during the NBA Night, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Victor Wembanyama faced off with the Greek Freak posting up a 44-point double-double to beat the No.1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
JOKIC FOR THE WIN 😱
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) January 5, 2024
PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images