fbpx
Skip to main content

Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray carry Nuggets past Nets

Mar 19, 2023; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) dribbles during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Nikola Jokic totaled 22 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists for his league-leading 28th triple-double as the visiting Denver Nuggets took control in the first quarter and led virtually the entire way in an 108-102 victory over the Brooklyn Nets Sunday afternoon in New York.

Michael Porter Jr. led all scorers with 28 points to go along with nine boards, as the Nuggets (48-24) won for the second time in seven games after taking a six-point loss to the New York Knicks Saturday afternoon. Jamal Murray added all 25 of his points in the first half as Denver shot 52.5 percent, marking the fifth straight game it shot at least 50 percent.

Jokic made 9 of 12 shots and recorded his 104th career triple-double and second in as many weeks against the Nets. A week ago in Denver, the center totaled 35 points, 20 rebounds and 11 assists in a two-point loss.

Jokic, Porter and Murray were a combined 28-of-49 from the floor and also combined for 21 of Denver’s 31 assists.

Mikal Bridges scored a team-high 23 points for the Nets (39-32), who dropped their third straight and fell 2 1/2 games behind the fifth-place Knicks in the Eastern Conference. Nic Claxton added 19 and Cameron Johnson contributed 14 as Brooklyn shot 46.3 percent but also missed 23 of 35 3-point tries.

Murray capped a 20-point opening quarter, when the Nuggets shot 59.1 percent, by hitting a 16-footer with 16 seconds for a 33-21 lead. After Claxton’s three-point play moved the Nets within 42-38, the Nuggets outscored them 21-10 over the final 6:08 and consecutive hoops by Murray made it 63-48 at halftime.

Jokic scored Denver’s final eight points of the third as they outscored the Nets 15-5 over the final five-plus minutes to seize a 91-71 lead going into the fourth.

Jokic reached his latest triple-double with 6:05 left when he passed out of a double team to Bruce Brown, who hit an easy layup for a 100-81 lead.

After the Nets ripped off a 17-2 run to get within 100-93, Murray found Porter, who hit a corner 3 when Johnson left him uncovered with 3:23 remaining. The Nets missed another chance at inching closer when Johnson missed an open 3 with 2:16, and Denver iced it when Gordon hit a layup and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope hit a trey.

–Field Level Media

Mentioned in this article:

More About: