Jokic matches season high with 55 as Nuggets handle Clippers on the road
jokic-matches-season-high-55-nuggets-clippers
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Nikola Jokic erupted for 55 points Wednesday night, equaling the highest single-game total in the NBA this season, and the Denver Nuggets topped the injury-depleted Los Angeles Clippers 130-116 for their sixth straight win.
The reigning MVP paired his scoring outburst with 12 rebounds and six assists, finishing 18-of-23 from the field, 5-of-6 from beyond the arc and 14-of-16 at the foul line. His 55 matched the mark set by Oklahoma City guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in a double-overtime game at Indiana on Oct. 23.
Jokic set the tone early, netting 25 of Denver’s 39 first-quarter points. He added eight in the second period and 19 more in the third. After resting most of the fourth quarter, he re-entered briefly to score his final three points.
James Harden paced Los Angeles with 23 points, converting all 10 of his free throws, and added eight rebounds and five assists. Rookie Jordan Miller supplied a career-best 22 points off the bench, while Ivica Zubac scored 18 as the Clippers dropped their sixth consecutive game to fall to 3-8.
Los Angeles played without Kawhi Leonard (sprained ankle and foot) and learned earlier in the day that Bradley Beal will miss the remainder of the season with a fractured hip.
Despite Jokic’s early barrage, the Clippers rallied from a 10-point first-quarter deficit to lead by the same margin in the second and held a 68-63 edge at halftime. Jokic dominated the third period, twice stringing together personal 6-0 runs, pushing Denver ahead 106-90 entering the fourth.
The Nuggets never trailed again, cruising to their third road victory of the season.
Source: ESPN
