The Denver Nuggets triumphed over the Indiana Pacers with a decisive 125-116 victory on Monday night, thanks in large part to Nikola Jokic's exceptional playmaking skills. Jokic achieved a career milestone by dishing out 19 assists, an achievement that underscores his ability to elevate his teammates' performances on the court. Alongside these assists, Jokic contributed 18 points and narrowly missed a triple-double with nine rebounds.
Aaron Gordon led the scoring for the Nuggets with 25 points, while Michael Porter Jr. and Christian Braun added significant contributions with 19 and 17 points respectively. The Nuggets showcased their shooting prowess, hitting 56% from the field, and demonstrated dominance on the boards with a 46-32 rebounding advantage over the Pacers.
The Pacers mounted a strong effort, led by Tyrese Haliburton who recorded 19 points and 15 assists. Pascal Siakam matched Haliburton's point tally with 19, and Aaron Nesmith added 17 points to the Pacers' total. Despite their efforts, the Pacers were unable to maintain momentum after trimming the lead to 56-55 in the second quarter. The Nuggets responded by extending their lead to as many as 13 points before halftime, eventually settling for a 64-58 advantage at the break.
Jokic's performance marked his 28th career game with at least 15 assists, setting a record for non-guards in NBA history. His ability to orchestrate the game drew high praise from Denver coach Michael Malone.
"And I think the most remarkable thing is not just 19 assists, but the satisfaction and joy that Nikola gets from making his teammates better," – Denver coach Michael Malone
Tyrese Haliburton also acknowledged Jokic's unique skill set.
"Obviously, Nikola is not a guy in the league that you would say is an elite defender, but he's one of the highest IQ guys in the league," – Tyrese Haliburton
Michael Porter Jr. bolstered Jokic’s efforts with a double-double, contributing 11 rebounds along with his scoring output. Jamal Murray and Christian Braun's combined scoring further solidified the Nuggets' offensive depth.
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