Jokic records another triple-double as Nuggets thwart Warriors

SAN FRANCISCO – Nikola Jokic posted his 18th triple-double of the season to lead reigning NBA champion Denver to a 119-103 victory over Golden State on Sunday (Monday Manila time).

The 29-year-old Serbian center, a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, had 32 points, 16 rebounds and 16 assists plus four steals, while Jamal Murray added 27 points for the Nuggets.

Klay Thompson came off the bench to lead the Warriors with 23 points but scored none in the second half; while Stephen Curry added 20 in the matchup of the past two NBA title winners.

"They are literally the Warriors. They are champions. They are a tough team to beat," Jokic said. "But 103 points in this arena is really good for our defense."

It was Jokic's third career game with at least 30 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists — passing Wilt Chamberlain for the second most in NBA history behind Oscar Robertson.

It was Jokic's sixth career game with 15 rebounds and 15 assists to pass Magic Johnson for fourth on the all-time list.

Jokic, who hit 13-of-24 shots from the floor, also became the first NBA player with 14 rebounds and 14 assists in three consecutive games.

Thompson had 16 points in the first quarter on 4-of-6 3-point shooting, but the Nuggets (39-19) closed the second quarter on a 14-0 run to equalize at 61-61 at half-time, then reeled off a 14-0 run early in the third quarter to seize command.

"That run 14-0 at the end of the second quarter when we got the game back into control, and we went up 10 points in the third quarter, I think that stretch helped us take control and we controlled the game the whole way," Jokic said.

It was Denver's seventh consecutive triumph in games against Golden State (29-27) and 10th in their past 11 matchups.
In Houston, Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 36 points and the Thunder won their fifth consecutive game, beating the host Rockets, 123-110, to grab a share of the Western Conference lead with Minnesota at 40-17.

Suns sink Lakers

In Phoenix, Grayson Allen scored 24 points and Kevin Durant added 22 to lead the host Suns over the Los Angeles Lakers, 123-113.

LeBron James led the Lakers with 28 points, 12 assists and seven rebounds, while Anthony Davis had 22 points and 14 rebounds.

Indiana center Myles Turner scored 33 points to lead the host Pacers over Dallas, 133-111. The Mavericks saw their seven-game win streak snapped despite 33 points for Luka Doncic and 29 from Kyrie Irving.

Cleveland's Jarrett Allen had 22 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Cavaliers' 114-105 victory at Washington.

DeMar DeRozan scored 24 points to lead Chicago in a 114-106 victory at New Orleans; while Finnish forward Lauri Markkanen scored 26 points to lead Utah's 128-109 home win over San Antonio.

Atlanta beat visiting Orlando, 109-92, behind Dejounte Murray's 25 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds. But the Hawks lost scoring leader Trae Young for at least four weeks due to surgery Tuesday to repair a torn left pinkie ligament.