COLORADO – Denver Nuggets leaned on Nikola Jokić’s 49-point triple-double to beat Los Angeles Clippers in overtime, 130-128, in the 2021-2022 NBA Season on Wednesday night (Thursday in the Philippines) at the Ball Arena in Denver.
The reigning NBA MVP tallied triple-double 49 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists to carry Nuggets to a come-from-behind triumph and a 23-20 win-loss slate.
Aaron Gordon added 28 markers, including the go-ahead three-pointer late in the game. Monte Morris also had a near triple-double 19 points, nine rebounds and nine assists for the Nuggets.
Down by as much as 12 points in the opening half, the Nuggets slowly clawed its way back in the second half behind Jokić, Gordon and Morris to force an overtime at 114-all on a basket by Will Barton.
Denver were down 123-120 in the extension period before Jokić unloaded consecutive points to take a 127-125 edge but the Clippers forced another deadlock at 127-all on a tip-in by Ivica Zubac.
Gordon then surged the Nuggets ahead 130-127 with a triple with 2.2 seconds left. The Clippers cut it to 130-128 via a technical free throw by Luke Kennard before they missed a triple attempt.
Zubac finished the match with season-high 32 points to go with 10 rebounds, Reggie Jackson added double-double 28 points and 12 assists as the Clippers dropped to 22-24.
Meanwhile, Joel Embiid ties his career-high in points as the Philadelphia 76ers scored a 123-110 domination over Orlando Magic at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Embiid finished the match with career-high tying 50 points to go with 12 assists, while Tobias Harris and Tyrese Maxey ended up with 21 and 14 points, respectively, for the 76ers.
Indiana Pacers, on the other hand, pulled off a come-from-behind 111-104 upset Los Angeles Lakers. Caris LeVert tallied 30 points, while Domantas Sabonis had triple-double 30 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists for the Pacers.
BOX SCORE:
DENVER 130 — Jokić 49, Gordon 28, Morris 19, Je. Green 12, Barton 7, Hyland 6, Nnaji 5, Reed 4, Rivers 0, Campazzo 0.
LOS ANGELES 128 — Zubac 32, Jackson 28, Boston 16, Bledsoe 13, Coffey 8, Ibaka 7, Kennard 7, Mann 7, Winslow 6, Hartenstein 4.
Quarterscores: 29-25, 59-47, 81-81, 114-114, 130-128./PN
