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[Saba Sports News] The undefeated Oklahoma City Thunder, holding opponents to a league-best 95.9 points per game, faced a different challenge against Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets.
Jokic dismantled OKC’s defense, racking up 16 assists that left defenders spinning, as the Nuggets handed the Thunder their first loss, 124-122.
The Serbian star also contributed 23 points, 20 rebounds, two blocks, and two steals, joining Russell Westbrook as the only players since Wilt Chamberlain in 1968 to achieve a 20/20/15 game.
Westbrook, starting in place of Jamal Murray (concussion protocol), scored 29 points with six rebounds and six assists.
Despite missing Murray and Aaron Gordon, Denver, down 11 at halftime, surged in the second half with Michael Porter Jr. and Christian Braun combining for 48 points, fueled by Jokic’s playmaking.
Denver’s fourth-quarter push, highlighted by a 17-7 run, featured big plays from Julian Strawther and Peyton Watson, the latter adding a crucial block. The Nuggets (5-3) face the Heat next, while the Thunder (7-1) will look to bounce back against the Rockets.
Jokic currently leads the league in rebounds (13.5) and assists (11.0), while ranking fourth in scoring (28.8). If he maintains this pace, a fourth MVP could be on the horizon, as no player has ever led the league in both rebounds and assists in a season.