Behind Nikola Jokic's triple-double, Nuggets nip Nets in OT

Field Level Media|published: Tue 29th October, 22:52 2024

Oct 29, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Denver Nuggets point guard Russell Westbrook (4) dribbles the ball against Brooklyn Nets small guard Cam Thomas (24) during the first half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Nikola Jokic had 29 points, 18 rebounds and 16 assists, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon scored 24 points each, and the visiting Denver Nuggets rallied to beat the Brooklyn Nets 144-139 in overtime on Tuesday.

Russell Westbrook had 22 points off the bench, Michael Porter Jr. contributed 16 and Christian Braun added 12 for Denver, which won in OT for the second consecutive nights.

Brooklyn had seven players score in double figures, led by Dennis Schroder, who had 28 points and 14 assists. Cam Thomas contributed 26 points, Cameron Johnson finished with 20 and Ziaire Williams (18 points), Dorian Finney-Smith (17), Nic Claxton (16) and Jalen Wilson (11) also scored in double figures for the Nets.

Claxton added a team-high 12 rebounds.

Brooklyn scored first in overtime before the Nuggets reeled off eight straight to go ahead 133-127. Schroder hit a 3-pointer to cut the Nets' deficit to 135-132, but Braun answered from deep and Murray split a pair of free throws to stretch Denver's lead to seven.

Johnson drained a 3-pointer to make it 141-137 with 26.5 seconds left, but the Nuggets closed it out.

Denver trailed by as many as 17 in the first half and was down nine at intermission but closed within 99-96 after three quarters.

Peyton Watson opened the fourth with a corner 3-pointer to tie it, and Wesbrook's driving layup put the visitors ahead 101-99. A 3-pointer from Westbrook gave Denver a five-point advantage.

Brooklyn responded with eight straight points to go back ahead with 7:02 left, and the game stayed close the rest of the way.

The Nets went ahead 115-112 when Thomas made three free throws, but two foul shots by Gordon tied it with 3:34 left.

Claxton's dunk made it 120-118, but Gordon gave Denver the lead with a 3-pointer. Thomas hit a floater in the lane before Murray sank consecutive baskets to make it 124-121 with 33.8 seconds left.

Jokic put back his own miss, Finney-Smith split a pair of free throws with 24.2 seconds left and Jokic's short hook tied it at 125 with 8.8 seconds remaining. Finney-Smith missed a corner 3-point attempt at the buzzer, sending the game into overtime.

--Field Level Media