MVP things: Jokic posts historic line for 5th straight triple-double in Nuggets win
Nikola Jokic had 35 points, 22 rebounds, and a season-high 17 assists for his fifth straight triple-double as the host Denver Nuggets held on to beat the Sacramento Kings, 132-123, on Thursday, January 23 (Friday, January 24, Manila time).
Jokic, who was voted an All-Star starter Thursday, has secured each triple-double during his current streak before the end of the third quarter. He is the first player since 1996-97 to have five straight triple-doubles before the fourth quarter, and 14 of his NBA-leading 20 have come in that fashion.
The reigning three-time MVP also became the second player in NBA history to record at least 35 points, 20 rebounds, and 15 assists in a game after legend Wilt Chamberlain.
NIKOLA JOKIĆ'S 5TH STRAIGHT TRIPLE-DOUBLE IS A HISTORIC ONE ????
— NBA (@NBA) January 24, 2025
???? 35 PTS | 22 REB | 17 AST ????
He joins Wilt Chamberlain as the only players in NBA history to record a game with 35+ PTS, 20+ REB, & 15+ AST! pic.twitter.com/n1qRSKvdar
Christian Braun had 21 points, Michael Porter Jr. scored 20, and Russell Westbrook and Jamal Murray contributed 18 points each for Denver, which has won four straight.
Domantas Sabonis had 23 points and 19 rebounds, DeMar DeRozan scored 24, and De’Aaron Fox finished with 17 points for Sacramento, which is now 10-3 under interim head coach Doug Christie.
The game appeared won when Jokic ended the third quarter with a one-handed, 66-foot heave that gave the Nuggets a 25-point lead, but the Kings opened the fourth with 14 straight points to close within 110-99.
Sacramento got as close as 126-121 on Doug McDermott’s three-pointer with 48.2 seconds left, but Jokic hit 4 free throws down the stretch and Braun had a running dunk to hold off the Kings.
McDermott, who didn’t play the first three quarters, scored 15 points and was 5-for-7 from beyond the arc to spark the late rally.
The game was tied midway through the first quarter until Denver built a 40-31 lead entering the second. The Nuggets used an 8-2 run to go ahead 54-38 and carried a 74-52 advantage into halftime.
Sacramento started the second half on a 12-3 run to cut the deficit to 77-64 before Denver steadied itself again. Jokic hit two jumpers and fed Porter for a dunk that extended the lead to 91-73.
The Nuggets ended the third quarter with a 14-5 run, capped by Jokic’s three-quarter-court heave, to lead 110-85. – Rappler.com