Nuggets Overcome Adversity, Beat Kings Despite Jokic’s Struggles

DENVER, Colo. — The Denver Nuggets battled through adversity on Wednesday night, turning a 14-point deficit into a 116-110 victory against the Sacramento Kings at Ball Arena. The win was especially impressive given that they struggled with MVP Nikola Jokic‘s production, losing his minutes by seven points.

Jokic, who recorded 22 points and 15 rebounds, had a challenging night as opposing defenders focused on limiting his scoring opportunities, resulting in a season-high seven turnovers. Despite this, the Nuggets’ depth and determination played a key role in their comeback, with coach Michael Malone praising the team’s defensive effort.

“I thought tonight was a hell of a win,” Malone stated. “As I was walking off the court, somebody said, ‘We’ll take it.’ Damn right we’ll take it. It wasn’t pretty, but it’s a win against a team that’s been playing well.”

One notable contribution came from Zeke Nnaji, who stepped up as a backup center, providing valuable minutes off the bench. Nnaji scored 10 points, grabbed three rebounds, and recorded three blocks during critical moments of the game.

Westbrook also shined, contributing 25 points along with two steals and earning praise for his shooting, particularly a crucial 3-pointer with just over a minute left that helped solidify Denver’s lead.

“Zeke didn’t play for a very long time, and as soon as he’s implemented back in the lineup, he’s freaking hooping,” said Jamal Murray, who led the team with 24 points and eight assists.

In addition to the on-court struggles, the Nuggets faced injuries to several key players, including Aaron Gordon and Vlatko Cancar. Cancar made his return after a lengthy absence due to knee surgery, while Watson’s availability added another layer of depth.

Meanwhile, Jokic faced a formidable defensive strategy from the Kings, who effectively fronted him in the post, limiting his ability to receive the ball in favorable positions. Jokic expressed his frustration regarding the physicality he faced throughout the game, but he managed to keep his composure.

“I think I’m doing great,” Jokic stated. “I get frustrated because I get punished for a reaction, but it’s good. It’s part of the game.”

The Nuggets’ defense appears to be a work in progress. Despite holding the Kings to lower scoring in the second half, they struggled initially, giving up 42 points in the first quarter alone.

Moving forward, the team looks to build on this victory as they prepare for their upcoming games, focusing on improving their defensive intensity while effectively leveraging its star players.