By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Another spectacular showing by Nikola Jokic resulted in a fifth straight triple-double and a league-high 20th in the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season.
Making 12/19 field goals went into 35 points to go with 22 rebounds and 17 assists as the Denver Nuggets defeated the Sacramento Kings, 132-123, in Ball Arena.
“I think we controlled the game, for the most part. Only in the fourth quarter, we kind of lost the rhythm,” he commented on Thursday’s game and nearly mishandling a 25-point advantage.
Required for 37 minutes since the Kings launched a short-lived comeback bid in the fourth quarter, the Serbian superstar added two blocks and one steal.
“I did not want to take over. I was just playing the game,” he added regarding the monster triple-double, “I think I was just playing the game the right way.”
😱😱NIKOLA JOKIC ARE YOU KIDDING ME?pic.twitter.com/48BapTsXP9
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“I knew it was going in,” the Joker reacted to casually hitting a shot from way beyond the halfcourt at the end of the third period.
European teammates did not play with Croatian Dario Saric staying on the bench and Slovenian Vlatko Cancar (left knee surgery) on the injury list.
On the wrong end, Lithuanian Domantas Sabonis neared a triple-double with 23 points and 19 rebounds combined with eight assists. Ukrainian Alex Len did not step on the court.
Doncic-less Mavs win
Despite missing Slovenian Luka Doncic (left calf strain), the Dallas Mavericks prevailed, 121-115, over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Paycom Center. French Ousmane Dieng, German Isaiah Hartenstein (left soleus strain), Belgian Ajay Mitchell (right great toe surgery), and Serbian Nikola Topic (left knee surgery) were out for the hosts. German Maxi Kleber was the only active European with three points, four assists, and three rebounds for the Mavs.