DENVER — Nikola Jokic recorded his 25th triple-double of the season on Saturday, steering the Denver Nuggets to a 129-93 home win over the Houston Rockets.
The two-time MVP finished with 16 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds, notching his 187th career triple-double — and his 15th achieved before the fourth quarter this year. Jamal Murray paced Denver with 30 points as the Nuggets secured the four-game season series, 3-1, and pulled within a half-game of Houston in the Western Conference standings.
The victory was Denver’s first with its opening-night lineup intact since mid-November, a milestone that came as interim coach David Adelman continues to monitor minutes following the All-Star break.
Knicks 134, Jazz 117
SALT LAKE CITY — Jalen Brunson scored 28 points and handed out eight assists, guiding the New York Knicks back from an early 18-point deficit to defeat the Utah Jazz, 134-117.
New York trailed 49-31 in the second quarter before shifting momentum. Brunson’s three-point play with 1.6 seconds left in the third period gave the Knicks a lead they never lost, eventually stretching the margin to 22.
Jordan Clarkson poured in 27 points for Utah, while OG Anunoby had 22 and Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 21 points, seven rebounds and seven assists for New York.
Hornets 117, Kings 109
SACRAMENTO — LaMelo Ball scored 30 points — 20 before halftime — as the Charlotte Hornets defeated the Sacramento Kings, 117-109.
Miles Bridges added 26 points, rookie Kon Knueppel delivered 24 and Brandon Miller chipped in 20. Charlotte seized control with a strong third quarter and kept Sacramento at arm’s length the rest of the way.
DeMar DeRozan led the Kings with 39 points, moving past Tim Duncan for 18th on the NBA’s career scoring list at 26,505.
The Hornets’ win capped a night that featured standout performances across three arenas, with Jokic, Brunson and Ball each setting the tone for their clubs.
Source: Hoops Wire
