DENVER — Nikola Jokic had 23 factors, 13 assists and 11 rebounds to turn out to be the profession assists chief amongst facilities, and the streaking Denver Nuggets beat the Orlando Magic 126-115 on Thursday evening.
Jokic, who has 13 triple-doubles this season, entered Thursday six assists behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who had 5,660. Jokic handed him with 6:26 left within the first half when he fed Jalen Pickett for a 3-pointer.
Jamal Murray scored 20 of his 32 factors in a game-turning second quarter for Denver, which gained its sixth straight.
Paolo Banchero had 26 factors, 16 rebounds and 10 assists for his third profession triple-double and first since March 20, 2024.
The Magic, already lacking main scorer Franz Wagner due to a sprained left ankle, performed with out Jalen Suggs, who sustained a left hip contusion within the NBA Cup semifinal loss to New York on Saturday evening.
Wendell Carter Jr. additionally scored 26 factors for Orlando.
Murray, who has by no means been named to an All-Star workforce in his eight seasons, is averaging a career-best 25.2 factors this season and 28.1 in December, which features a 52-point sport at Indiana two weeks in the past.
He made 5 of 6 3-point makes an attempt within the second quarter after the Nuggets fell behind by 14.
Denver had 33 complete factors halfway by the interval and went on a 35-7 run within the closing 6:26 of the half to show a 47-33 deficit right into a 68-54 halftime lead.
It was 81-60 a couple of minutes into the third quarter earlier than Orlando rallied to chop it to 92-83. Cam Johnson, who completed with 14 factors and 11 rebounds, hit a 3-pointer out of a timeout that spurred one other Nuggets surge.
The Magic received inside 121-115 with 1:32 remaining, however Johnson hit a nook 3-pointer to seal it.
