In a thrilling NBA matchup, Nikola Jokic achieved his seventh triple-double this season as the Denver Nuggets secured a 123-112 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Jokic contributed 27 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists, marking his 171st career triple-double. This achievement places him behind only Russell Westbrook and Oscar Robertson in NBA history.
Despite missing key players Christian Braun and Cam Johnson due to injuries sustained in their previous game against the Los Angeles Clippers, the Nuggets maintained their winning streak. Braun is expected to be out for at least six weeks. Tim Hardaway Jr. and Aaron Gordon each added 23 points to help Denver achieve their seventh consecutive win.
Luka Doncic led the Los Angeles Lakers with an impressive performance, scoring 41 points and securing nine rebounds in their 119-95 win against the Milwaukee Bucks. Austin Reaves supported with 25 points and eight assists. Deandre Ayton also contributed significantly with 20 points and 10 rebounds.
The Lakers played without Rui Hachimura and Marcus Smart due to injuries, while LeBron James remained sidelined with sciatica. Despite these absences, they managed to dominate early, leading by as many as 13 points after the first quarter. Giannis Antetokounmpo’s efforts for the Bucks were not enough to overcome their cold shooting start.
The Oklahoma City Thunder continued their impressive run by defeating the Charlotte Hornets 109-96, improving their league-best record to 13-1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 33 points while Chet Holmgren added another 25. The Thunder’s strong third quarter was pivotal in securing their fifth consecutive win.
Ajay Mitchell contributed with 14 points for Oklahoma City, who have been dominant against Eastern Conference teams with a remarkable winning streak of 23 games. The Hornets struggled without Brandon Miller and LaMelo Ball due to injuries, allowing the Thunder to capitalize on a significant scoring burst in the third quarter.
Meanwhile, Julius Randle and Anthony Edwards each scored 26 points for Minnesota. Despite their efforts, they couldn’t prevent Denver from extending their winning streak against them this season. The Timberwolves had previously swept Denver in last year’s regular-season series but have yet to secure a victory against them this year.
The Thunder’s victory was marked by a decisive third-quarter performance where they outscored Charlotte significantly. Isiah Hartenstein recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds for Oklahoma City. The Hornets’ Miles Bridges led his team with 15 points but couldn’t match the Thunder’s intensity.
The Lakers’ triumph over Milwaukee was notable as both teams were playing back-to-back games following victories in NBA Cup matches on Friday night. Despite Giannis Antetokounmpo’s strong performance for Milwaukee, scoring 32 points with ten rebounds, it wasn’t enough to overcome their poor shooting start.
This weekend’s NBA action showcased standout performances across multiple games, highlighting individual brilliance alongside team efforts that continue to shape an exciting season ahead.