Jokic triple-double guides Nuggets to victory
Reigning NBA champions the Denver Nuggets maintained their unbeaten start to the NBA season with a 110-102 success over the Utah Jazz.
Serbian Nikola Jokic claimed the 107th triple-double of his career with 27 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds in a fourth win out of four for Denver.
Jokic is now tied with LeBron James and Jason Kidd for the fourth most triples in NBA history.
Denver led by 10 points after the first quarter and controlled it after that.
Aaron Gordon added 21 points and seven rebounds for the Nuggets while Jamal Murray had 18 points, including three three-pointers.
Elsewhere, Stephen Curry topped 40 points for the second time this season as the Golden State Warriors eased past the New Orleans Pelicans 130-102.
Curry, who scored 41 points in Friday’s victory over Sacramento, finished with a 42-point haul that included seven three-pointers.
New Warriors recruit Chris Paul added 13 points off the bench while Moses Moody and Trayce Jackson-Davis also finished with 13 apiece. Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum led the New Orleans scorers with 19 points each.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr was full of praise for Curry’s efforts.
“He’s white hot,” said Kerr. “It’s amazing watching him. He looks better than ever at 35.
“But he puts the work in every summer, keeps looking for ways to get better. He’s constantly searching for edges in his training – it’s just stunning to watch.”
Like the Nuggets, the Dallas Mavericks and the Boston Celtics also remain unbeaten in the early stages of the season.
The Mavericks defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 125-110 with 35 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists from Luka Doncic, while Jaylen Brown’s 36 points and 33 from Jayson Tatum helped the Celtics beat the Washington Wizards 126-107.