NBA: Nikola Jokic, Nuggets end Thunder’s perfect run

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) and forward Michael Porter Jr. (1) during a time out ihe first quarter of an NBA game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Nikola Jokic had 23 points, 20 rebounds and 16 assists, Peyton Watson made a game-sealing block with one second left and the host Denver Nuggets handed the Oklahoma City Thunder their first loss of the NBA season, 124-122 on Wednesday.

Russell Westbrook scored 29 points, Michael Porter Jr. and Christian Braun had 24 each and Watson finished with 10 points and three blocks for Denver, which ended a four-game head-to-head losing streak against Oklahoma City.

Jokic logged his fourth triple-double of the season.

READ: NBA: Nuggets add Russell Westbrook at Nikola Jokic’s urging

The Nuggets played without Jamal Murray (concussion protocol) for the third straight game and without Aaron Gordon, who will miss multiple weeks due to a right calf strain.

Jalen Williams had 29 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists for the Thunder, who had opened with seven straight wins. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 28, Chet Holmgren had 15 points and 10 rebounds and Luguentz Dort and Isaiah Joe scored 11 points each.

Jokić and Russ were UNREAL tonight in the @nuggets win.

🔥 Joker: 23p, 20r, 16a, 2s, 2b
🔥 Brodie: 29p (10-15 shooting), 6r, 6a

Jokić joins Westbrook (Apr. 2, 2019) as the 2nd player to record a 20/20/15 game since Wilt Chamberlain in 1968! pic.twitter.com/zwozPyYZ2M

— NBA (@NBA) November 7, 2024

Denver trailed by two early in the fourth quarter before Westbrook converted a three-point play, Porter sank a 3-pointer and Westbrook added another basket as the Nuggets went ahead 103-99.

READ: NBA: Nikola Jokic, Nuggets escape Nets in overtime

Denver missed nine consecutive shots and didn’t score for 4:08 while the Thunder reeled off the next seven points to go up 106-103.

Watson split a pair of free throws, Braun made a layup and Porter hit from deep to put the Nuggets back in front 109-108.

Braun and Watson sank 3-pointers and Julian Strawther had a putback dunk during an 11-5 run that gave Denver a 123-115, but Williams scored five straight to make it 123-120 entering the final minute.

Jokic split a pair of free throws with 27 seconds left, Gilgeous-Alexander made a layup and Watson missed two foul shots, leaving Oklahoma City within two.

However, Watson blocked Gilgeous-Alexander’s last-second floater to preserve the win.

The Thunder led 66-55 at halftime, but the Nuggets used a 40-point third quarter to storm back.

Porter hit a 19-footer to get Denver within 71-62, but the Thunder scored seven straight, one courtesy of a technical foul on Denver coach Michael Malone.

The technical sparked the Nuggets, who hit four shots from deep during a 24-6 run that gave Denver an 89-87 lead, and the teams were tied 95-95 entering the fourth quarter. –Field Level Media