DENVER — Nikola Jokic delivered 23 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds Thursday night to overtake Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA’s career assists leader among centers, guiding the Denver Nuggets to a 126-115 victory over the Orlando Magic.
The two-time MVP, now with 13 triple-doubles this season, entered the game at Ball Arena six assists shy of Abdul-Jabbar’s 5,660. He moved past the Hall of Famer with 6:26 left in the second quarter when he set up Jalen Pickett for a three-pointer.
Denver’s sixth straight win was also powered by Jamal Murray, who scored 32 points and hit five of six attempts from beyond the arc during a game-changing second quarter. Murray poured in 20 points in the period, helping Denver erase a 14-point deficit with a 35-7 burst over the final 6:26 of the half to lead 68-54 at intermission.
The Nuggets stretched the margin to 81-60 early in the third, but Orlando rallied to within 92-83 before Cam Johnson drained a three out of a timeout. Johnson finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds and later buried a corner triple with 1:32 remaining after the Magic cut the gap to 121-115.
Paolo Banchero recorded 26 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists for his third career triple-double and first since March 20, 2024. Wendell Carter Jr. also scored 26 for Orlando, which played without leading scorer Franz Wagner (sprained left ankle) and guard Jalen Suggs (left hip contusion).
Murray, still seeking his first All-Star selection in his eighth season, is averaging a career-best 25.2 points and 28.1 in December, a month that includes his 52-point performance at Indiana two weeks ago.
Source: ESPN
