Nikola Jokic made a 11th triple-double of the season, Denver Nuggets crush Morant-less Memphis Grizzlies 142-105

The Denver Nuggets defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 142-105 on Thursday night, thanks in large part to Nikola Jokic’s 26 points, 14 boards, and 10 assists. It was the Nuggets’ best point total of the season.

Diệt gọn Memphis Grizzlies, Nikola Jokic đi vào lịch sử với thành tích không tưởng

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, drives past Memphis Grizzlies forward Xavier...

Memphis did not have Ja Morant on the court because he was sick. After serving a 25-game suspension at the beginning of the season, Morant did not play in his first game back. Since Morant made his season debut on December 19 against the Pelicans, the Grizzlies have won all four of his games.

With 23 points, Desmond Bane and 17 points each, Marcus Smart were Memphis’ leading scorers. With Morant benched, Memphis falls to 6-20.

Nikola Jokic posts 11th triple-double of the season, Nuggets beat Morant-less Grizzlies 142-105 | AM 920 The ANSWER - Atlanta, GA

Jokic made all eleven of his field goal attempts (except for one 3-pointer) and added three free throws to his total. He faced Golden State on Monday and converted all 18 of his free throw attempts. Jokic concluded the third quarter with 1:31 left in the game, setting up Christian Braun for a dunk to complete his eleventh triple-double of the year. After that, Jokic headed to the bench.

Nikola Jokic almost perfect in Nuggets' romp over Grizzlies

Jokic now has 116 triple-doubles in his NBA career, which puts him in fourth place all-time and 22 games behind Magic Johnson for third place. With 198 points, Russell Westbrook is in first place, while Oscar Robertson has 181 for his career.

Jokic perfect from field, line for 11th triple-double of the season, Nuggets beat Grizzlies 142-105 - The San Diego Union-Tribune

Jamal Murray recorded 23 points and nine assists, marking his fourth consecutive game with 20 points or more. With a season-best six-game winning streak, Denver’s Peyton Watson scored a career-high twenty points. In a high-scoring third quarter when Denver’s advantage reached 32 points, Murray scored 10 points. The lead was then reduced to 23 points by the Grizzlies.

Denver led Memphis by as much as 38 points in the fourth quarter, after outscoring them 41–35 in the period.

After the Grizzlies took an early 8-point lead, the defending champions went on a 16-0 run that spanned the first and second quarters to extend their lead to 15 points. Midway through the second quarter, Memphis got within 45-41, but the Nuggets embarked on an 18-2 run to take a 65-48 lead into halftime.