Nikola Jokic recorded his fourth straight triple-double on Tuesday, leading the Denver Nuggets to a dominating 144-109 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. The Serbian sensation, who won his third NBA MVP award last season, once again showcased his talent by scoring 27 points, grabbing 13 rebounds and dishing out 10 assists before taking a seat on the bench for the last quarter. This marked his 13th triple-double of the season, all accomplished in just three quarters.
“I feel like I’m playing the best basketball of my life,” Jokic said, while acknowledging that the defending champion Nuggets still have work to do. “We’re not where we should be. We’re trying to find our rhythm.”
Jokic found motivation in the win, especially against a 76ers team struggling with injuries, including former MVP Joel Embiid. Six Denver players reached double figures, with Julian Strawther adding 23 points coming off the bench, while Aaron Gordon recorded 19 more points.
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“Tonight we did what was necessary,” Jokic said confidently.
Elsewhere, the Los Angeles Lakers also had a convincing win, with LeBron James recording his ninth triple-double of the season in a 111-88 win over the struggling Washington Wizards. James had 21 points, 10 rebounds and 13 assists, while Anthony Davis had a solid performance with 29 points and 16 rebounds against the bottom team.
Notably, James, who celebrated his 40th birthday on December 30, becomes the second player aged 40 or over to achieve a triple-double, after Karl Malone’s feat in 2003.
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-In another encounter, the New York Knicks managed to hold off the Brooklyn Nets, overturning a precarious 10-point deficit in the final quarter to claim a 99-95 victory in their city rivalry. Karl-Anthony Towns led the Knicks with 25 points and 16 rebounds, while OG Anunoby chipped in with 20 points. Jalen Brunson, despite a rough start, scored eight crucial points in the final minutes to help secure the victory.
The Knicks, who had an 85-75 lead with 10:10 remaining, faced a late surge by the Nets, sparked by D’Angelo Russell’s 23 points, who briefly took the lead to 90-89 with just 2:35 remaining. Brunson’s shot restored the Knicks’ lead, setting the stage for a thrilling finish, capped by Brunson’s free throws.
“We know how special he is,” Towns said of Brunson. “He lives for these moments.”
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The Toronto Raptors staged a remarkable comeback after trailing by 21 points early to defeat the Orlando Magic 109-93. RJ Barrett led the scorer with 19 points, while Scottie Barnes shined with 17 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists, propelling the Raptors to a dominant 40-20 third-quarter performance.
Paolo Banchero shined for the Magic with 26 points and 12 rebounds, but the team ended up losing, thus signing their fourth consecutive defeat.
Finally, the Portland Trail Blazers triumphed over the Miami Heat 116-107 in Miami, driven by Anfernee Simons’ 24 points and a productive night from Deandre Ayton, who recorded 22 points and 15 rebounds. The Trail Blazers have seven players scoring in double figures.
With Miami’s leading scorer, Tyler Herro, sidelined with groin discomfort, Duncan Robinson led the Heat with 22 points. Rookie Kel’el Ware made his remarkable debut with 20 points and 15 rebounds. However, the Heat had a rough series with 19 missed three-pointers in a row, recording their fourth loss in five games.
