NBA: Nuggets survive Pelicans in overtime
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) shoots against New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi (21) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. The Nuggets won in overtime 132-129. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
NEW ORLEANS — Nikola Jokic overcame a slow scoring start for his ninth triple-double of the season, finishing with 27 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists in the Denver Nuggets’ 132-129 overtime victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday night.
Jokic turned it on after failing to score in the first 21 minutes. Jamal Murray added 27 points, scoring Denver’s final five in overtime, and Russell Westbrook had 21.
Article continues after this advertisementThe Pelicans led 107-98 with 7:50 left in regulation, but Jokic scored seven points in a 15-2 Denver run over a 3:41 span to give the Nuggets a 113-109 lead.
READ: NBA: Anfernee Simons, Blazers stave off Nuggets’ 4th-quarter comeback
CJ McCollum put New Orleans up 119-117 with a 3-pointer with 52 seconds remaining, and Murray tied it with 8.8 seconds left. McCollum shot an airball on a 3-pointer at the buzzer.
Jokic scored the first six points of overtime and assisted on an Aaron Gordon layup to put Denver up 129-125.
Article continues after this advertisementJordan Hawkins led New Orleans with 25 points. McCollum had 24.
Takeaways
Nuggets: Coach Mike Malone has stressed intensity to his team, which has been playing inconsistently in the last two weeks. “We’ve had a Club Med vacation schedule the last two weeks … and now we start five games in five nights,” Malone said. “We’ll see what our team is made of.”
Pelicans: New Orleans, losers of 16 of 7 games, had a season-high 37 assists — 15 by Dejounte Murray.
READ: NBA: Nuggets edge Kings in thriller
Key moment
Jamal Murray missed a layup but got his own rebound and followed up inside for a 129-125 lead.
Key stat
Jokic scored his first points in two free throws 2:51 before halftime and finished the half with six points, five rebounds and six assists.
Up next
The Nuggets host Phoenix on Monday night. The Pelicans host Houston on Thursday night.
