Short-handed Nuggets Triumph Over Pacers
Nikola Jokic led the Denver Nuggets with an impressive 32 points, 14 rebounds, and 14 assists, marking his sixth triple-double in nine games this season. The Nuggets secured a 117-100 victory over the Indiana Pacers despite missing key players.
Game Overview
The Denver Nuggets, playing without starters Jamal Murray (left calf tightness) and Aaron Gordon (left hamstring), achieved a win on the second night of a back-to-back. Jalen Pickett and Peyton Watson stepped up as starters, with Watson scoring a season-high 16 points. Gordon, who missed 31 games last season due to injuries, has been averaging a career-best 20.1 points.
“If he feels something that can turn into something worse, there is a little bit of apprehension,” Denver coach David Adelman said. “Aaron’s a guy we have to protect … because there’s just not that many human beings that are that big and jump that high and explode like that.”
Indiana Pacers Performance
Indiana has struggled recently, losing eight of nine games. They returned Andrew Nembhard from a seven-game absence due to a left shoulder strain. Aaron Nesmith led the Pacers with 25 points, while Nembhard contributed 22 points. New addition Monte Morris played 15 minutes and scored one point.
Key Players Stats
- Nikola Jokic: 32 points, 14 rebounds, 14 assists
- Aaron Nesmith: 25 points (Indiana)
- Andrew Nembhard: 22 points (Indiana)
- Peyton Watson: 16 points (season-high)
The Nuggets completed their four-game homestand with a strong showing despite the roster challenges.
Summary: Nikola Jokic’s dominant triple-double fueled a short-handed Nuggets team to a decisive win over the Pacers, underscoring Denver's depth and resilience.