By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Nikola Jokic returned to action after missing three games for personal reasons, following the birth of his second child, and picked up right where he left off, recording another triple-double.
However, the Denver Nuggets fell to the Dallas Mavericks despite Luka Doncic being absent for the winning side. As a result, the Colorado team’s coach, Michael Malone, criticized the rest of the squad for failing to follow Jokic’s example.
“I think a lot of guys exhaled because Nikola’s back. They expected Superman to carry the day, and that’s not fair. Do your own job. Everybody’s gotta do their job. Nikola obviously showed once again why he’s the best player in the world. Misses a week of basketball, three games, and goes out and gets a triple-double,” Malone said.
Jokic finished the game with 33 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists, while Jamal Murray, for example, scored 14 points on 4/16 shooting. Michael Porter Jr. was benched down the stretch, finishing the game with 17 points.