By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Injuries shaped the Denver Nuggets‘ lineup for their visit to the Washington Wizards, forcing Nikola Jokic to do everything by himself.
The three-time MVP put on a one-man show in the U.S. capital, delivering career-high numbers, but it wasn’t enough, as the team with the worst record in the NBA defeated the Nuggets 122-113.
Jokic scored a career-best 56 points on 22-of-38 shooting from the field. He was on the verge of one of the most impressive triple-doubles in history, adding 16 rebounds and 8 assists.
Interestingly, Jokic shot 3-of-5 from beyond the arc, while the rest of the team managed just 2-of-19 from three-point range.
On the winning side, Jonas Valanciunas recorded a double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds, while Bilal Coulibaly contributed six points, six rebounds, and five assists.
While Jokic couldn’t help his team secure a win, Luka Dončić led the Dallas Mavericks to a 125-118 road victory over Darko Rajaković’s Toronto Raptors.
The Slovenian star recorded a triple-double with 30 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists, securing his place as second all-time for 30-point triple-doubles.
On the other side, Jakob Poeltl delivered another strong performance with 20 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists.
Isaiah Hartenstein posted a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds in the Oklahoma City Thunder‘s 119-109 road win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Kristaps Porzingis scored 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds, while Neemias Queta added five points and seven boards in the Boston Celtics‘ 127-121 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies at TD Garden. For the Grizzlies, Santi Aldama contributed nine points and six rebounds.
Meanwhile, O.G. Anunoby’s 17 points and Ariel Hukporti’s nine weren’t enough to help the New York Knicks at home. Detroit Pistons claimed a 120-112 victory at MSG, with Simone Fontecchio adding six points in around 19 minutes of play.
NBA results:
New Orleans Pelicans – OKC Thunder 109-119
Washington Wizards – Denver Nuggets 122-113
New York Knicks – Detroit Pistons 111-120
Toronto Raptors – Dallas Mavericks 118-125
Boston Celtics – Memphis Grizzlies 121-127
Miami Heat – Phoenix Suns 121-111
Standings:
Eastern conference
1. Cleveland Cavs 21-3
2. Boston Celtics 19-5
3. Orlando Magic 16-9
4. New York Knicks 14-9
5. Atlanta Hawks 13-11
6. Miami Heat 11-10
7. Milwaukee Bucks 11-11
8. Brooklyn Nets 10-13
9. Chicago Bulls 10-14
10. Indiana Pacers 10-14
11. Detroit Pistons 10-15
12. Toronto Raptors 7-17
13. Philadelphia 76ers 6-15
14. Charlotte Hornets 6-17
15. Washington Wizards 3-18
Western conference
1. Oklahoma City Thunder 18-5
2. Memphis Grizzlies 16-8
3. Dallas Mavericks 16-8
4. Houston Rockets 15-8
5. Golden State Warriors 13-9
6. LA Clippers 14-10
7. Minnesota Timberwolves 12-10
8. Phoenix Suns 12-10
9. Denver Nuggets 11-10
10. LA Lakers 12-11
11. San Antonio Spurs 11-12
12. Sacramento Kings 11-13
13. Portland Trail Blazers 8-15
14. Utah Jazz 5-17
15. New Orleans Pelicans 5-19