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Nikola Jokic notched his 24th triple-double of the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season, leading the Denver Nuggets to a decisive 112-90 victory over the Orlando Magic at Ball Arena on Thursday night.
The Serbian center, aged 29, recorded impressive stats with 28 points, 12 assists, 10 rebounds, and two steals in just 31 minutes of play. He shot exceptionally well, making 11 of 16 attempts from the field, including two three-pointers.
In a postgame interview, he reflected on the Nuggets’ fifth consecutive win, saying, “I can’t pinpoint it. Today, it was our defense. Other nights, it’s been our offense. We are just finding ways to win, especially during this period of the season when teams are dealing with injuries, trades, and various challenges. Ultimately, finding a way to secure wins is what truly matters.”
Croatian player Dario Saric did not participate in the game, while Slovenian Vlatko Cancar remained unavailable due to recent left knee surgery.
On the opposing side, German forward Franz Wagner contributed 14 points, four assists, four rebounds, two steals, and one block for the Magic. His starting teammate, Georgian Goga Bitadze, managed four points, three rebounds, and one block. Off the bench, fellow German Tristan da Silva added seven points, two rebounds, and one block. Another German player, Moritz Wagner, was sidelined due to left knee surgery.
In a different matchup, the Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Sacramento Kings 108-102 at the Moda Center, achieving their sixth consecutive victory and overshadowing the debut of Jonas Valanciunas alongside fellow Lithuanian Domantas Sabonis. Israeli player Deni Avdija scored nine points and grabbed four rebounds, while Belgian Toumani Camara contributed four points, 14 rebounds, two assists, one block, and one steal. Frenchman Rayan Rupert remained on the bench.
For the Kings, Sabonis recorded a double-double with 10 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, one block, and one steal. His new teammate Valanciunas added six points, five rebounds, and three assists, while Ukrainian Alex Len was inactive due to his recent trade to the Washington Wizards, marking the end of his second term with Sacramento.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Clippers squandered a significant 22-point lead, ultimately losing 119-112 to the Indiana Pacers at Intuit Dome. Croatian Ivica Zubac registered a double-double with 18 points and 15 rebounds, along with two assists and one steal, but it wasn’t enough for the Clippers. French player Nicolas Batum contributed with two rebounds, one steal, and one assist. Serbian Bogdan Bogdanovic is expected to join coach Tyronn Lue’s squad soon.
After posting 49 points on Wednesday, Anthony Edwards followed up with 41 points to propel the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 127-114 win against the Houston Rockets. French center Rudy Gobert added a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, along with one block, while Bosnian Luka Garza secured two rebounds. For the Rockets, Turkish player Alperen Sengun recorded 16 points, ten rebounds, seven assists, and two steals.
Lastly, Latvian Kristaps Porzingis scored 17 points, along with five rebounds, two assists, and one block, but the Boston Celtics lost to the Dallas Mavericks 127-120 at TD Garden. His Portuguese teammate Neemias Queta contributed six points, two rebounds, and one assist.
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