Nikola Jokić led the way with 29 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists as the Denver Nuggets secured a 128-103 victory against the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night. Jokic came close to recording his 23rd triple-double of the season, falling just two assists short.
“Nikola’s approach is not only to play the game but also to help his teammates who may not get as much playing time,” stated Nuggets coach Michael Malone. “He elevates the performance of everyone around him, which is what makes him a truly outstanding player.”
Lamar Stevens matched his season high with 19 points for the Grizzlies, while Scotty Pippen Jr. contributed 17 points. In their recent matchups, both held in Denver, the Nuggets have dominated, winning by a combined 62 points.
“We’re aiming for the top seed, just like last year,” noted Christian Braun. “Every game matters to us, and we approach each one with the same mindset. That’s the culture of our team—we play to win every time.”
Despite missing key starters Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon due to injury, the Nuggets shot impressively, with a 53.3% field goal percentage and a 46.9% rate from beyond the arc. They have now won 15 of their last 17 games since the All-Star break.
Reggie Jackson chipped in 15 points and eight assists for Denver, while Peyton Watson contributed a double-double off the bench with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Denver started strong, building an early 16-6 lead and maintaining control throughout the first quarter. Jokic was particularly dominant in the opening period, tallying 16 points.
Although Memphis managed to reduce the deficit to 15 points in the third quarter, a timely timeout by Malone helped the Nuggets regain momentum, sealing the victory with a 14-2 run.
With this win, the Nuggets remain at the top of the Western Conference standings, one game ahead of the idle Oklahoma City Thunder. On the other hand, the Grizzlies, with a record of 24-48, continue to face challenges in a season marked by injuries to key players like Ja Morant and Marcus Smart.
“Despite our setbacks, the team’s spirit remains high,” said Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins. “We’re focused on improving and building for the future, both individually and collectively.”
