The word ‘historic’ is sometimes used too loosely, but Nikola Jokic has earned the adjective by all means. With 26 points, 18 assists and 16 rebounds, the Serbian posted numbers this morning never seen before in the history of the NBA, a display that, however, could not be accompanied by a victory in New Orleans. The Nuggets fell to the Pelicans 115-110, a result that does not make them lose the first position in their conference but turns Group B of the West of the cup upside down, which promises to have to resort to basketaverage to find a winner.
Historic numbers for Nikola Jokic (26 PTS, 16 REB, 18 AST) tonight ????
He ties Wilt Chamberlain for second-most career games with 25+ PTS, 15+ REB, and 15+ AST in NBA history (4).
Pelicans got the W in West Group B play ???? pic.twitter.com/TKe22MHFF2
— NBA (@NBA) November 18, 2023
New Orleans, leader for now, demonstrated once again that despite frequent losses they are still a team capable of knocking down anyone, even the current champions. Led by Zion Williamson’s 26 points, lethal once again attacking the rim (10/17), the Louisiana team not only won, but at times even overwhelmed Denver, with stretches in which they were up 20 on the scoreboard. However, against a Jokic of another dimension there is no easy victory, and the locals also had to take action to avoid the comeback.
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And the Nuggets came within a single point of difference in the last quarter, when both Zion himself and Brandon Ingram, who finished with 21 points, came out of their lethargy and, with two baskets each, signed a 8-0 run that made it clear that the victory remained at the Smoothie King Center. Thus, the Pelicans managed to balance their balance and place themselves at 6-6, which allows them to remain in play-in positions in the West.
Short template?
The mistake in the triple (1/8) was the only problem that could be put against Jokic, who kept his team alive almost from start to finish and in fact gave the sensation of arriving somewhat lacking energy at the end. Without Jamal Murray, the center is having to face a great burden and is not always finding the necessary support, which has caused the Colorado team to have suffered two setbacks in their five games without the Canadian.
Nikola had as his main squire a sensational Christian Braun, who with 25 points had the best game of his career and to a certain extent made up for the poor contribution of the rest. Michael Porter Jr., author of 18 points, finished third in scoring but was not as lethal from the three-point range as usual, and the bench, apart from Braun himself, could only contribute a scant 5 points. The situation should be balanced with the return of Murray and the return of Reggie Jackson to the second unit, but for now it has been a somewhat complicated few weeks for the reigning champions.
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(Cover photo: Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
2023-11-18 09:00:00
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