NBA News NBA News, Match Reports and Updates
The Denver Nuggets triumphed over the Phoenix Suns with a score of 133-111 in their season’s home opener, featuring another impressive performance by Nikola Jokic.
The versatile big man, known as The Joker, recorded a triple-double with 15 assists, 14 rebounds, and 14 points on an efficient 5-of-8 shooting effort.
Jokic now boasts 166 career triple-doubles during the regular season, placing him third all-time, behind Russell Westbrook (203) and Oscar Robertson (181). He has also accumulated 18 triple-doubles in playoff games.
Jamal Murray contributed 23 points for the Nuggets, while Devin Booker led the Suns with 31 points.
In Chicago, Josh Giddey put up 21 points and grabbed eight rebounds, while Montenegrin center Nikola Vucevic added 15 points, helping the Chicago Bulls secure a 110-98 win against the Orlando Magic.
Franz Wagner, the German Eurobasket champion, was the standout for the Magic with 17 points.
The reigning NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder had an effortless 117-100 victory against the undermanned Atlanta Hawks.
Chet Holmgren was exceptional, scoring 31 points, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 30 points for the Thunder. The Hawks were unable to field Kristaps Porzingis (flu-like symptoms) and Zaccharie Risacher (right ankle sprain) for their second consecutive game.
In a tightly contested match, Quentin Grimes hit a critical 3-pointer to break a tie with just 14 seconds remaining and finished with 24 points, while Tyrese Maxey scored 28, leading the Philadelphia 76ers to a 125-121 victory over the Charlotte Hornets.
Rookie Cedric Coward had a stellar performance, scoring 22 of his 27 points in the second half, as the Memphis Grizzlies surged ahead for a 128-103 win against the Indiana Pacers on Saturday night.
**Standings:**
**East Conference:**
1. Milwaukee Bucks 2-0
2. New York Knicks 2-0
3. Chicago Bulls 2-0
4. Philadelphia 76ers 2-0
5. Charlotte Hornets 1-1
6. Toronto Raptors 1-1
7. Miami Heat 1-1
8. Cleveland Cavaliers 1-1
9. Detroit Pistons 1-1
10. Washington Wizards 1-1
11. Atlanta Hawks 1-2
12. Orlando Magic 1-2
13. Indiana Pacers 0-2
14. Boston Celtics 0-2
15. Brooklyn Nets 0-2
**West Conference:**
1. Oklahoma City Thunder 3-0
2. San Antonio Spurs 2-0
3. Golden State Warriors 2-1
4. Memphis Grizzlies 2-1
5. Sacramento Kings 1-6
6. Utah Jazz 1-7
7. Los Angeles Clippers 1-8
8. Denver Nuggets 1-9
9. Los Angeles Lakers 1-1
10. Minnesota Timberwolves 1-1
11. Portland Trail Blazers 1-1
12. Phoenix Suns 1-2
13. Dallas Mavericks 0-2
14. New Orleans Pelicans 0-2
15. Houston Rockets 0-2
