Nikola Jokic on Sunday posted his 18th triple-double of the season to lead reigning NBA champions the Denver Nuggets to a 119-103 victory over the Golden State Warriors.
The 29-year-old Serbian center, a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, had 32 points, 16 rebounds and 16 assists plus four steals, while Jamal Murray added 27 points for the Nuggets.
Klay Thompson came off the bench to lead the Warriors with 23 points, but none in the second half, while Stephen Curry added 20 in the matchup of the past two NBA title winners.
“They are literally the Warriors. They are champions. They are a tough team to beat,” Jokic said. “But 103 points in this arena is really good for our defense.”
It was Jokic’s third career game with at least 30 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists — passing Wilt Chamberlain for the second most in NBA history behind Oscar Robertson.
It was Jokic’s sixth career game with 15 rebounds and 15 assists to pass Magic Johnson for fourth on the all-time list.
Jokic, who hit 13-of-24 shots from the floor, also became the first NBA player with 14 rebounds and 14 assists in three consecutive games.
Elsewhere, Greek star Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 30 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and passed off nine assists to lead the Milwaukee Bucks’ 119-98 rout of the Philadelphia 76ers, while the Phoenix Suns topped the Los Angeles Lakers 123-113 and the Oklahoma City Thunder outplayed the Houston Rockets 123-110.
The Sacramento Kings beat the Los Angeles Clippers 123-107, the Charlotte Hornets defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 93-80 and the Indianapolis Pacers snapped Dallas’ seven-game streak, toppling the Maverick’s 133-111.
The Atlanta Hawks powered past the Orlando Magic 109-92 to halt a three-game skid, while the Cleveland Cavaliers took down the Washington Wizards 114-105, the Chicago Bulls devastated the New Orleans Pelicans 114-106 and the Salt Lake City Jazz dominated the San Antonio Spurs 128-109.
Additional reporting by staff writer, with AP
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