Nikola Jokic recorded 23 points, 13 assists, and 11 rebounds, becoming the career assists leader among NBA centers, as the Denver Nuggets (20-6) defeated the Orlando Magic (12-15) 126-115 on Thursday at Ball Arena.
Jamal Murray scored 32 points, including 20 in a game-turning second quarter, fueling Denver’s six-game winning streak. Cameron Johnson added 19 points and 11 rebounds, while Bruce Brown contributed 11 points and two steals.
Jokic surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s career center assist mark with 6:26 left in the first half on a pass to Jalen Pickett for a 3-pointer. The Nuggets turned a 47-33 halftime deficit into a 68-54 lead following a 35-7 run in the final 6:26 of the second quarter.
Orlando’s Paolo Banchero had a triple-double with 26 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists, while Wendell Carter Jr. also scored 26 points. The Magic, missing Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs, rallied to cut a 21-point third-quarter deficit to 92-83, but Denver responded with timely scoring from Johnson.
Murray made 5 of 6 3-pointers during the second-quarter surge, helping Denver take control. Cam Johnson’s corner 3-pointer late in the fourth quarter sealed the game, pushing the Nuggets’ lead to double digits.
The Magic finished with 115 points on 47% shooting but could not match Denver’s efficiency, as the Nuggets hit 56% from the field, including 44% from 3-point range. Jokic added six steals and two blocks, anchoring Denver’s defense.
Denver will host the Houston Rockets on Saturday, while Orlando visits Utah, looking to rebound from their fifth loss in seven games. The Nuggets improve to 20-6, maintaining their position near the top of the Western Conference.
