Nuggets Rally Past Kings Despite Jokic’s Struggles

DENVER (AP) — The Denver Nuggets overcame a 14-point deficit, defeating the Sacramento Kings 116-110 on Wednesday night at Ball Arena, showcasing their resilience despite Nikola Jokic‘s struggle with turnovers.

Nuggets head coach Michael Malone praised his team’s defensive effort and the ability to secure the win. “I thought tonight was a hell of a win. What I loved tonight was the defense… I don’t think anybody in this room realizes how hard it is to win a game, against a team that won four in a row,” Malone said. “So for all the people out there saying we’ll take it, it wasn’t pretty — it’s a win. Let’s not get carried away. It’s a good win against a team that’s been playing well.”

In a unique twist, the Nuggets managed to lose Jokic’s minutes by seven points but gained a 13-point advantage during the minutes he was off the court. Zeke Nnaji played a pivotal role off the bench, contributing significantly to the defensive effort and scoring 10 points, along with three rebounds and three blocks.

Russell Westbrook led the Nuggets with 25 points and hit a crucial three-pointer late in the game, holding off a late surge from Sacramento. Zach LaVine of the Kings did his best to respond but the Nuggets managed to seal the victory with timely stops and free throws.

Nikola Jokic finished the game with 22 points and 15 rebounds, but faced difficulties with six assists countered by an equal number of turnovers. Despite the challenges, Jokic remained composed throughout the game.

“It’s just sometimes, we get punished for a reaction, and I get frustrated because I get punished for a reaction. And they don’t look at what happened, why that was my reaction. But it’s good. It’s part of the game,” Jokic said after the game.

Jamal Murray added 24 points and was a standout with a +21 rating, reinforcing his importance to the team. “Zeke didn’t play for a very long time, and as soon as he was implemented back in the lineup, he’s freaking hooping,” Murray said of Nnaji. “And not just putting the ball in the hoop. We don’t need him to just put the ball in the hoop. Dude is playing defense, rebounding, and running the floor.”

The Nuggets returned home with a growing injury list, as Aaron Gordon missed his fourth straight game due to an ankle sprain. Meanwhile, Vlatko Cancar returned for his first game in 49 appearances following knee surgery but did not play. Watson was able to contribute within a 17-minute stint after a long absence.

The Kings, missing Domantas Sabonis, employed aggressive tactics against Jokic, fronting him with smaller defenders and attempting to limit his touches. Malone acknowledged this strategy significantly impacted the game plan. “It’s not just about shooting 3s… It’s bigger than just 3-point percentage and 3-point shots,” Westbrook noted, reinforcing the complexity of the offensive scheme against a tightly packed defense.

As the season progresses, the Nuggets recognize that they must adapt to the continued strategy of opponents focused on limiting Jokic’s effectiveness. “We’re going to see this for the next 20 games. Teams are not guarding anybody not named No. 15, Nikola Jokic,” Malone said during halftime. Team dynamics will likely prove crucial in upcoming games as they prepare for the playoff push.