Jokic Leads Nuggets Past Heat in 122-112 Victory

DENVER, CO — Nikola Jokic scored 33 points, providing 16 assists and 15 rebounds for his fifth triple-double of the season, leading the Denver Nuggets to a 122-112 victory against the Miami Heat on Wednesday night.

This win marks the Nuggets’ 11th consecutive regular-season triumph over the Heat. Jokic shot 12 of 18 from the field and completed his triple-double with an offensive rebound at 6:36 in the third quarter. Aaron Gordon contributed 24 points as Denver improved to 4-0 at home this season.

The Nuggets held a 17-point lead in the fourth quarter, but the Heat narrowed the gap to eight points with just 43 seconds left on the clock. Jamal Murray secured the win with two timely free throws. Miami has not won a regular-season game in Denver since November 30, 2016, though they did defeat the Nuggets in Game 2 of the 2023 NBA Finals.

Norman Powell scored 23 points for Miami, which concluded a four-game road trip with a 1-3 record. Heat center Bam Adebayo was sidelined after the first quarter with a left foot injury and did not return. Adebayo will undergo tests on his foot, with updates expected Thursday.

Miami struggled on the boards, getting outrebounded 61-38 — including a shocking 21-5 on the offensive glass. Powell initiated the game with a three-pointer, marking the first time the Nuggets have trailed at home this season, although they subsequently led wire-to-wire in their first three games at Ball Arena.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra expressed admiration for Nuggets head coach David Adelman, describing it as a “surreal” experience to face him, given their close ties. The two share a friendship rooted in family connections.

Looking ahead, the Heat will begin a four-game homestand on Friday against the Charlotte Hornets, while the Nuggets will host the Golden State Warriors on the same day.