NEW ORLEANS — Nikola Jokic recorded 21 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists for his 200th career regular-season triple-double, and the Denver Nuggets never trailed in a 104-91 victory over the winless New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night.
Jamal Murray scored 23 points, and Aaron Gordon added 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Nuggets, who swept the two-game, home-and-home series with New Orleans.
Denver needed a comeback in the previous meeting. The Nuggets overcame a 23-point deficit to beat the Pelicans in Denver on Saturday. This time, they jumped to a 22-point lead in the first half and kept a comfortable margin for most of the game.
Zion Williamson scored 25 points for New Orleans, including a fourth-quarter 3-pointer that cut the Pelicans’ deficit to 88-83. Murray answered with a 3-pointer and a driving finger roll that pushed the Nuggets’ lead back to 10.
Jokic Chases Westbrook’s Record
Jokic needs 10 more regular-season triple-doubles to pass Russell Westbrook as the NBA’s all-time leader. Westbrook retired after last season. Westbrook reached 200 triple-doubles in his 1,175th game, while Jokic reached the milestone in his 814th. They are the only two players in NBA history to surpass 200.
Triple-Doubles In Nuggets History
Sixteen of Jokic’s triple-doubles have come against the Pelicans, six more than against any other opponent.
Christian Braun scored 15 points, and Trevon Brazile added 11 points for Denver. The Nuggets entered the game with several injuries and used just nine players.
Derik Queen posted 11 points and 12 rebounds, and Jeremiah Fears scored 11 points for the Pelicans, who fell to 0-4 under first-year coach Jamahl Mosley.
Nuggets Build Early Lead
Murray made his first three shots, all from beyond the arc. Denver shot 62% in the first quarter and built a 37-18 lead. Marvin Bagley’s runner gave the Nuggets their largest lead at 44-22 with about nine minutes remaining in the second quarter.
The Pelicans struggled from the perimeter, making just 7 of 30 3-point attempts (23.3%).
Denver played without Cam Johnson (ankle) and Alpha Diallo (sprained wrist). The Nuggets also continued to be without Julian Strawther and Spencer Jones.