In a remarkable display of skill and dominance, Nikola Jokic notched his 18th triple-double of the season, propelling the Denver Nuggets to a commanding 119-103 triumph over the Golden State Warriors in the NBA.
Jokic’s stellar performance at Chase Center in California saw him rack up 32 points, 16 rebounds, and 16 assists, solidifying his status as one of the league’s most formidable players. With this achievement, Jokic trails only Domantas Sabonis of the Sacramento Kings, who boasts 20 triple-doubles this season.
The defending NBA champions, the Nuggets, currently occupy the third spot in the Western Conference standings, while the Warriors find themselves in the tenth position.
Despite a valiant effort from the Warriors, including notable contributions from Klay Thompson with 23 points and Stephen Curry with 20, the Nuggets’ defense proved resilient, limiting their opponents to 103 points.
Reflecting on the challenging matchup, Jokic acknowledged the Warriors’ formidable reputation, stating, “They are literally the Warriors. They are champions. They are a tough team to beat. But 103 points in this arena is really good for our defense.”
Jokic’s outstanding performance also etched his name in NBA history, marking the third occasion in his career where he has achieved at least 30 points, 15 rebounds, and 15 assists. Only the legendary Oscar Robertson has accomplished this feat more frequently, achieving it a remarkable 11 times.
In other NBA action, Giannis Antetokounmpo propelled the Milwaukee Bucks to a convincing 119-98 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, showcasing his brilliance with 30 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists.
Meanwhile, Myles Turner delivered a standout performance for the Indiana Pacers, scoring a season-high 33 points and securing eight rebounds in their commanding 133-111 win over the Dallas Mavericks, halting the latter’s seven-game winning streak despite Luka Doncic’s impressive 33-point display.
The Oklahoma City Thunder continued their winning momentum, securing their sixth consecutive victory with a 123-110 win over the Houston Rockets, fueled by stellar performances from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who notched 36 points, and Chet Holmgren, who contributed 29.
Rounding off the action-packed night, Grayson Allen led the Phoenix Suns to a 123-113 home victory against the Los Angeles Lakers, despite a formidable effort from LeBron James, who recorded 28 points, 12 assists, and seven rebounds.