Jokić hits 200th triple-double as Nuggets beat Pelicans
Denver won 104–91 in New Orleans thanks to Nikola Jokić's 200th triple-double. Jamal Murray scored 23 points and the Nuggets held off a Pelicans fightback.
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Denver beat New Orleans 104–91 on the road on Wednesday 28 October, leading from start to finish. Nikola Jokić scored 21 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and dished out 10 assists to reach his 200th regular-season triple-double.
The Nuggets built their win from the opening minutes. Powered by Jamal Murray's shooting, they scored 37 points in the first quarter, against 18 for the Pelicans. The lead reached 22 points in the first half before New Orleans found answers to get back into the game.
New Orleans close in but cannot turn the game around
The Pelicans trimmed the lead to 57–45 at the break, then kept pushing after the restart. Zion Williamson, who scored 25 points, helped cut the deficit to 88–83 in the final quarter. Denver pulled clear again, however: Murray answered with a three-pointer and then a drive, restoring a ten-point lead.
Christian Braun, who finished with 15 points, also hit from long range in the closing minutes. The Pelicans could not erase the deficit and suffer a fourth defeat in as many games this season.
Jokić joins rare company
The Serbian centre reaches 200 regular-season triple-doubles. Only Russell Westbrook, with 209, is ahead of him in league history in that category. Jokić made eight of his thirteen shots and all five of his free throws, while also driving Denver's offence.
Murray was the Nuggets' top scorer with 23 points, including five three-pointers, and six assists. Aaron Gordon added 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Trevon Brazile scored 11 points. For the Pelicans, Derik Queen had 11 points and 12 rebounds.
Denver leave with a second win in four games. New Orleans will look for their first win of the season in their next home game, against Sacramento.