Jokic Leads Nuggets to Overtime Victory Against Pelicans
Los Angeles – Denver’s reigning NBA MVP, Nikola Jokic, overcame a sluggish start to finish with a 27-point triple-double on Sunday, leading the Nuggets to a dramatic 132-129 overtime win against the New Orleans Pelicans. Jokic also added 13 rebounds and 10 assists, despite being held to just six points in the first half.
“I think we just like it that way,” Jokic said, reflecting on the Nuggets’ tendency for late-game heroics. “But we should be more hungry.” Denver trailed by as much as 17 points in the third quarter before mounting a comeback. With 4:37 remaining in regulation, Julian Strawther’s layup put the Nuggets ahead, 111-109.
The Pelicans fought back, with CJ McCollum’s basket giving New Orleans a 119-117 lead with 53.2 seconds left. However, Jamal Murray answered with a clutch step-back shot to tie the game at 119-119. McCollum missed a three-pointer as time expired, sending the game into overtime.
In the extra period, Jokic took control, scoring the Nuggets’ first six points and sealing the win. Denver handed New Orleans their seventh straight loss.
Murray also finished with 27 points, and Russell Westbrook contributed 21 points off the bench. For New Orleans, Jordan Hawkins led the way with 25 points, and McCollum added 24.
Pacers Dominate Kings for Fourth Straight Win
In Sacramento, the Indiana Pacers cruised to a 122-95 victory, extending their win streak to four games. The Pacers outscored the Kings 70-43 in the second half, led by Pascal Siakam’s double-double (19 points, 10 rebounds). Seven Indiana players scored in double figures, including Myles Turner (15 points), Tyrese Haliburton, and Ben Sheppard (14 points each), with T.J. McConnell adding 12 points and 10 assists off the bench.
“We brought it from start to finish,” Sheppard said. “The energy from both the bench and the starters was incredible.”
De’Aaron Fox led the Kings with 23 points, while Domantas Sabonis recorded 17 points and 21 rebounds. However, Sacramento fans voiced their frustration as the team suffered its fourth consecutive defeat. Kings coach Mike Brown acknowledged the struggles, saying, “Tough night for us. We can’t give up 70 points in a half.”
Rockets Rally to Defeat Raptors in Toronto
The Houston Rockets overcame a 16-point first-half deficit to beat the Toronto Raptors 114-110. Dillon Brooks led Houston with 27 points, and Jalen Green added 22. The Rockets held the Raptors to just five-of-15 shooting in the fourth quarter, helping them secure the win.
Alperen Sengun contributed 17 points and 10 rebounds for Houston. The Rockets outscored Toronto 33-26 in the third quarter to take a one-point lead into the final period. Houston pushed the advantage to 11 points, but the Raptors fought back, cutting the deficit to three on Ochai Agbaji’s dunk with 22.7 seconds remaining. However, Houston sealed the win with a free throw in the final moments.
