Nikola Jokic extended his dominant form with a 30-point, 14-assist, 11-rebound performance, leading the Denver Nuggets to a 135-122 victory over the Miami Heat. Jokic recorded his third consecutive triple-double, marking his fifth of the season, a National Basketball Association (NBA) best.
Jokic continues to dominate
Jokic’s incredible playmaking and scoring were on full display, as he notched his third straight triple-double, further solidifying his MVP-caliber campaign. His performance was instrumental in helping the Nuggets push their recent surge, winning six of their past seven games after starting the season 0-2.
Jamal Murray also had a standout performance, returning from concussion protocol to score 28 points. In doing so, Murray made history by becoming the first player in Nuggets franchise history to reach 1,000 career three-pointers.
Heat struggle without Butler
The Heat, already facing a tough season, were dealt another blow when Jimmy Butler turned his ankle on a drive against Murray early in the game. Butler, the Heat’s second-leading scorer with 18.1 points per game, was forced to leave and did not return.
Despite playing without their star, Miami fought to stay in the game but never led, trailing by as many as 26 points in the second half. Tyler Herro led the Heat with 24 points and 11 assists, but Miami's efforts fell short in the absence of their key player.
Fast start and key runs propel Denver
Denver wasted no time taking control of the game, racing out to an early 17-6 lead in the first 4:10 of the game. The Nuggets’ offence was efficient in the first quarter, shooting 14-of-20 and scoring 40 points. Despite a late push from the Heat, who got within seven points in the final five minutes, Denver’s dominance in the second and third quarters sealed the win.
In particular, Denver outscored Miami 15-4 in the first 3:03 of the third quarter, extending their 11-point halftime lead to 86-64.
Key takeaways
Heat: Miami’s struggles continued with their fourth loss in the last five games, compounded by Butler’s injury. The Heat’s offence was unable to keep pace with the Nuggets without their star player.
Nuggets: Despite concerns over the depth of their bench, Denver’s starting five, led by Jokic and Murray, carried them to another commanding victory. Their sixth win in seven games puts them on a strong trajectory after a shaky start to the season.
Key stat
Russell Westbrook continued to contribute to Denver’s success, dishing out a season-high 10 assists. This marked just the second time in the past 44 games that Westbrook had recorded double-digit assists, highlighting his recent resurgence with the Nuggets.
The Nuggets will look to continue their strong play when they host the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Heat continue their six-game road trip with a matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves on the same day.
