BASKETBALL – Nikola Jokic became the second player in NBA history to tally 200 career triple-doubles and Christian Braun knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers during a late-game stretch as the Denver Nuggets held off the host New Orleans Pelicans 104-91 on Wednesday.
It was Jokic’s second triple-double of the season, both coming against New Orleans, as the 12-year veteran finished with 21 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists. Jokic joined Russell Westbrook, the all-time leader in triple-doubles who piled up 209 in 18 seasons.
All five Nuggets players finished with double-digit points, led by Jamal Murray’s 23.
Aaron Gordon registered a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds, Braun added 12 points and Trevon Brazile chipped in 11 points.
Quentin Grimes scored 23 points, Collin Sexton added 21 and the visiting Lakers overcame the absence of Luka Doncic to earn a 103-87 victory over the Clippers at Inglewood, California.
Austin Reaves put up 16 points and Cooper Flagg had 26 points, eight assists and five rebounds to lead host Dallas to a 120-96 victory over Oklahoma City.
Victor Wembanyama posted 36 points and 14 rebounds as San Antonio defeated injury-plagued Utah 117-111 in overtime in Salt Lake City.
Cade Cunningham scored 30 points and Detroit used a strong second half to defeat visiting Charlotte 97-89.
Fred VanVleet scored 15 of his 24 points in the third quarter while Amen Thompson added 23 points as visiting Houston beat Milwaukee.
Bam Adebayo scored a season-high 24 points and became Miami’s all-time leading rebounder as the Heat claimed their first victory of the season, 129-117.
&uuid=(email))