Nikola Jokic dominates Kings as Nuggets win after blowing big lead

Nikola Jokic had 38 factors, 18 rebounds and 7 assists, and the Denver Nuggets held on after blowing an 18-point lead and beat the Sacramento Kings 106-100 on Wednesday night time.

Monte Morris added 20 factors and made a important three-point play late to assist protect the Nuggets’ fourth consecutive win and twelfth within the final 14 video games. Bryn Forbes and Aaron Gordon every scored 11 factors.

“Our guys perceive what time it’s within the season,” Nuggets coach Mike Malone mentioned. “That is if you wish to be taking part in your finest basketball. There’s a feel-good ambiance within the locker room.”

The Nuggets trailed 92-91 after De’Aaron Fox’s dunk. Austin Rivers adopted with a 3-pointer and Morris made an 18-foot jumper for Denver. Harrison Barnes’ 3-pointer bought the Kings inside 96-95 earlier than Jokic and Morris scored on consecutive three-point performs.

Fox had 32 factors and 10 assists for Sacramento. Barnes added 17 factors and 5 rebounds. The Kings have misplaced six of eight for the reason that All-Star break.

Jokic dominated the Kings all night time. He had a double-double earlier than halftime and fell three assists shy of a 3rd consecutive triple-double.

“Currently, we’re taking part in actually good, we’re successful video games,” Jokic mentioned. “Hopefully it’s going to proceed.”

The reigning league MVP leads the NBA with 18 triple-doubles and wishes three extra to tie Wilt Chamberlain’s profession file for facilities (78).

“He simply controls the entire recreation,” Kings interim coach Alvin Gentry mentioned. “He’s some extent guard, he’s a ahead, he’s a middle. He’s no matter he must be at that specific time to get them over the hump.”

Morris mentioned it’s a no brainer that Jokic ought to be MVP once more this season.

“He’s been dominating for thus lengthy there’s nothing you possibly can actually do,” Morris mentioned. “This man’s taking part in phenomenal. He’s been doing it for a very long time. I nonetheless really feel like he doesn’t get sufficient credit score.”

The second quarter resulted in controversy when Fox was fouled with eight-tenths of a second remaining. Preliminary indications have been that Fox was fouled earlier than capturing, but he was awarded three free throws. Malone was charged with a technical because the groups have been strolling off the court docket at halftime, giving the Kings a free throw try to open the third quarter.

Sacramento trailed 80-77 firstly of the fourth then minimize the hole to 87-86 following back-to-back 3s from Barnes and Fox.

BAD BOOGIE

Former Kings star DeMarcus Cousins had a tough night time in his return to Sacramento. The fifth total decide in 2010 who spent his first seven seasons with the Kings, Cousins was known as for 5 fouls together with 4 on the offensive finish. He completed with 5 factors and 6 rebounds.

SABONIS SUSPENDED

The Kings have been with out Domantas Sabonis, who served a one-game NBA suspension with out pay for aggressively confronting and making contact with a referee throughout Monday’s loss to the New York Knicks. Sabonis had been known as for a foul when he was charged together with his first technical foul, then picked up a second and was ejected after bumping into the official.

TIP-INS

Nuggets: Will Barton (left ankle sprain), Jeff Inexperienced (private causes) and Bones Hyland (proper knee soreness) have been held out.

Kings: Gentry needed to be restrained by an assistant following a foul name within the second quarter. … Davion Mitchell was damage after a tough fall within the first half. He was taken to the locker room, then returned within the second quarter.

UP NEXT

Nuggets: Face Golden State in Denver on Thursday. The Nuggets beat the Warriors 131-124 on Monday.

Kings: Play the Jazz in Utah on Saturday. Sacramento has misplaced six straight towards the Jazz.