DENVER – Nikola Jokic had another monster triple-double, Aaron Gordon threw a crucial dunk that went into overtime after a check, and the Denver Nuggets rallied for a 128-125 win over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night.
Jokic had 41 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists for his 83rd career triple-double. The two-time reigning NBA MVP had a 40-point, 27-rebound and 10-assist outing a week ago.
“Sick,” Gordon said of the stats Jokic is releasing these days. “These are video game numbers.”
According to the NBA, it was the fourth game with 40 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists in NBA history ESPN Stats and Information. He joined Oscar Robertson (1961, 1962) and James Harden (2016).
Phoenix star Devin Booker lasted just 4:20 on his return from a groin injury and scored two points after scoring 58 against New Orleans in his previous start.
Jamal Murray tied it in the rule for Denver with a dunk by 10.7 seconds. But it was Gordon’s OT slam that helped lead the Nuggets to victory. He was first called out for an offensive foul, but a review showed Landry Shamet moved and awarded the basket and a free throw to Gordon.
Best dunk in the game he’s ever had?
“Yes,” said Gordon. “Because of the time and the score.”
Jokic also had an attitude towards the dunk because he was close to Gordon in the game.
“I was open,” cracked Jokic.
It certainly increased the noise level in the building.
“This is the loudest place I’ve heard for a non-playoff game in a long time,” said Nuggets coach Michael Malone.
Phoenix got a chance to tie it from OT in the final seconds, only to have a pass thrown away.
The Suns, leading by 12 points in the third quarter, were preparing for a winning game, but Mikal Bridges was called out for an offensive foul after accidentally hitting a Denver player. Bridges atoned by blocking Murray’s shot just before the buzzer.
The Nuggets improved to 2-6 in games played at Christmas. The other win was in 1994 against Seattle.
Shamet came off the bench and scored 31 points – which was his career high – on a night where the Suns lost bookers again to a groin injury. Booker just returned to the court after missing the last three games with groin pain.
“I didn’t even see it,” said Suns coach Monty Williams. “They came up to me as I was walking on the sidelines and they said, ‘Man, we have to get Book.’ I looked up and he had this look on his face and I knew something had happened.”
Deandre Ayton added 22 points and 16 rebounds as Phoenix had six players in double figures. Chris Paul had 17 points and 16 assists but missed five free throws.
The Suns have dropped eight out of eleven.
“We’ll be fine,” Shamet said. “It is important that we do the right things.”
Gordon finished with 28 points and Murray with 26.
The Nuggets led by 15 points early in the game. Shamet scored 15 points in the second quarter to help Phoenix work their way back into the game.
Gordon landed 11 of 18 from the field and Jokic 16 of 25. Both extended their streaks to 23 games shooting .500 or better from the field, breaking Nene’s franchise record in 2010-11.
TIP INS
Suns: Phoenix guard Cameron Payne (sprained right foot) and forward Cam Johnson (torn meniscus) completed more intense training on Christmas morning. Payne has not played since December 13 and Johnson has not played since November 4.
Nuggets: Forward Jeff Green broke his hand against Portland on Friday. The team said he would be re-evaluated in four weeks. … Forward Michael Porter Jr. had seven points on 3 of 11 shots in his second game after suffering a heel injury.
NEXT
Suns: In Memphis on Tuesday night.
Nuggets: In Sacramento on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.
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