In a high-stakes overtime clash, Nikola Jokic led the Denver Nuggets (2-2) to a 144-139 win over the Brooklyn Nets (1-3), posting a historic 29-point, 18-rebound, and 16-assist performance. This game marked Jokic as only the second player in NBA history to achieve at least 29 points, 18 rebounds, and 16 assists in a single game, joining Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson in this elite club.
Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon each added 24 points, while Russell Westbrook came off the bench to score 22, supporting Jokic in overcoming a Nets team that led by 17 points in the second quarter. The Nuggets’ win over Brooklyn extended their streak against the Nets to four games, with Jokic registering his second triple-double in the team’s first four games this season.
The Brooklyn Nets showcased their own firepower, with Dennis Schroder scoring a team-high 28 points and Cam Thomas contributing 26. Cameron Johnson added 20 points, while Nic Claxton came off the bench to deliver 16 points and 12 rebounds. Despite these efforts, the Nets couldn’t capitalize on their early lead, and Jokic’s resilience helped the Nuggets chip away at the score to force the game into overtime.
The turning point came in the final moments of regulation, with Brooklyn holding a one-point lead as Dorian Finney-Smith went to the line with 24 seconds left. Finney-Smith made just one of his two free throws, giving Jokic the opportunity to tie the game with an inside shot at 8.8 seconds remaining. Finney-Smith had a chance to reclaim the win at the buzzer but missed an open three-pointer from the corner, pushing the contest into overtime.
In the extra period, Cam Thomas initially put the Nets ahead with a basket, but the Nuggets responded with an eight-point run that sealed the game. Jokic’s standout performance was complemented by Murray, Gordon, and Westbrook, who ensured Denver’s control during overtime, keeping Brooklyn at bay.
For Brooklyn, the game saw them set season highs with 40 points in the first quarter and 72 by halftime, underscoring their offensive capability despite missing Ben Simmons, who was out due to lower back management.
