Nikola Jokic registered 22 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists on his return to the pitch after serving a penalty game due to the altercation he starred in with Markieff Morris last Monday. The Nuggets beat the Hawks 96-105, marking the second triple-double of the season for ‘The Joker’.
Jokic, the current regular season MVP, has a total of 59 triple-doubles throughout his NBA career, equaling the legendary Larry Bird for eighth all-time.
“He’s one of the best players ever, so the fact that my name is associated with his means a lot to me,” admitted Nikola Jokic. “I’m just going to try to play my best and I still have a few years left,” he added.
Aaron Gordon scored 23 points; Jeff Green had 16 and rookie Bones Hyland had 15 points with two key 3s down the stretch of the game. Colorado’s are 6-1 at home and fifth in the West with an 8-4 aggregate.
For their part, things are not going well for the Hawks with their sixth loss in a row. Trae Young was the most outstanding with 30 points and 9 assists; followed by John Collins with 26 points and 9 rebounds.
“We have to go home and make up lost ground,” said Nate McMillan. “It’s as simple as that. We knew this tour was going to be tough and we weren’t able to get a win. We have a couple of games at home and we have to recover some ground, to take care of our affairs in our pavilion, “he explained.
On the next round the Nuggets close out a five-game home road trip against the Blazers next Sunday night; and the Hawks return to their fiefdom to face the reigning champions Milwaukee Bucks.
(Cover photo: Jamie Schwaberow / Getty Images)
