Nikola Jokic recorded his third consecutive triple-double with 30 points, 14 assists, and 11 rebounds to propel the Denver Nuggets to a 135-122 win over the Miami Heat on Friday night. The victory lifted Denver to 6-3 on the season, while the Heat fell to 3-5.
Jokic’s performance marked his fifth triple-double of the season, extending his NBA lead in that category.
Jamal Murray, back from a three-game absence due to concussion protocol, added 28 points, becoming the first player in Nuggets history to reach 1,000 career 3-pointers.
The Heat were dealt a major blow early when Jimmy Butler left the game with an ankle injury after just seven minutes. Butler’s absence left a significant gap for Miami, with Tyler Herro picking up the slack, finishing with 24 points and 11 assists.
Despite Herro’s efforts, the Heat could not mount a comeback against the Nuggets’ offensive firepower.
Denver wasted no time establishing control, jumping to a 17-6 lead in the first four minutes. The Nuggets shot an impressive 70% from the field in the opening quarter, making 14 of 20 attempts, and finished with 40 points in the period.
Although Miami fought back, trimming the deficit to seven points in the final moments, the Heat never led in the game. Denver held a commanding 26-point lead during the second half.
While Miami struggled with Butler sidelined, the Nuggets capitalized on their depth. In addition to Jokic and Murray, Michael Porter Jr. contributed 21 points, and Christian Braun chipped in 21 more, with a solid shooting performance from the field.
he Nuggets shot 61.7% overall and 51.4% from beyond the arc, a testament to their offensive dominance.
On the other hand, the Heat’s offensive struggles were evident, especially in the absence of Butler. Bam Adebayo posted 20 points and 9 rebounds but was inefficient from the floor, shooting just 7-of-18.
The Heat also struggled with turnovers, committing 19 on the night, which limited their scoring opportunities.
The Nuggets’ Russell Westbrook also played a pivotal role, recording a season-high 10 assists, the second time in his last 44 games that he has achieved double-digit assists. Despite his limited scoring (6 points), Westbrook’s playmaking was crucial in the Nuggets’ offensive flow.
The win marked a continued surge for Denver, who have now won six of their last seven games after an 0-2 start to the season. However, concerns about the bench depth remain, as the team struggled in stretches when the starters rested.
For Miami, the loss was their fourth in the last five games, and with Butler’s injury adding to their woes, it’s unclear how long the Heat will be without their star forward.
