What Nikola Jokic scoring more than 50 points in a game is something that has never happened before and is therefore surprising beyond the caliber of player we are talking about.
That he did it in a game against the team with the worst record in the league. NBA makes this a little less surprising. But despite such a performance by Jokic, the Denver Nuggets have fallen against Washington Wizards It wasn’t in the cards for anyone.
The Wizards defeated the Nuggets comfortably, 122-113 at home, to end their 16-game losing streak that was the same as the other two worst in their history (in 2023-2024 and 2009-2010).
Without the presence of Jamal Murray or Aaron Gordon at his side, plus another loss like that of Dario Saric, for the Nuggets this was going to have to be a game in which they entrusted themselves too much to Jokic, so much so that the Serbian made 38 shots field, something I had never experienced before.
In total Jokic finished with 56 points (22-38 from the field and 9-13 in free throws), 16 rebounds and 8 assists in a game with little rest: he played 39 minutes. He achieved a historic statistical record: the first player to add 55 points, 15 rebounds, five assists and three triples in the same game.
The record for most points in a game for a Nuggets player was also far from the Serbian: David Thompson’s 73 points in a Nuggets vs. Pistons of 1978. This performance by Jokic was in second place, above games by Allen Iverson, Carmelo Anthony, Alex English or Jamal Murray.
It is true that when you concede 122 points, any production may not be enough: Denver has a losing record of 4-5 when conceding that or more this season.
In the three-pointers, a Washington that was also missing important players like Kyle Kuzma and Alex Sarr made the difference. He made 16 of his 41 attempts while Denver only made five in the entire game (24 shots), three made by Jokic.
Jordan Poole was the MVP of the winning team: Jokic’s 56 points and 8 assists were opposed by his 39 points and 8 assists but with more company around: 23 points for Justin Champagnie and 20 points for Jonas Valanciunas.
(With information from NBA)
2024-12-08 05:26:00