Nuggets star Nikola Jokic wants to overturn the Trail Blazers’ losing team.
With 21 points on 10 of 10 shooting, 15 assists, 19 rebounds, and 15 rebounds, Nikola Jokic recorded his 16th triple-double of the year and 121st of his career. Jokic became the third player, behind LeBron James and Russell Westbrook, to record a triple-double in every game against every opponent.
The two-time NBA MVP Jokic stated he will think back on his most recent feat when he retires.”Like I always say, it’s just something that after I finish my career, it’s a legacy milestone,” Jokic stated. “I’m going to look back and say, ‘That’s a really cool thing to do.'”
Michael Malone, the coach of Denver, expressed his admiration for Jokic’s productive performance and expressed astonishment that his best player hadn’t recorded a triple-double against another team.”Was Washington the only team he didn’t have a triple-double against?” In response to the line of inquiry, Malone inquired. “He can now finally cross Washington off the list.
“He’s among the best passers in the history of this game. That speaks volumes. He can simply have an overall effect on the game. He really is the epitome of greatness, as we often discuss.”Against the Wizards, teammates Aaron Gordon scored 17 points, Jamal Murray finished with 18 points and eight assists, and Michael Porter Jr. contributed 22 points and 11 rebounds.
Denver will overtake the Trail Blazers in a losing streak after defeating Portland five times in a row. Portland’s last six games before the All-Star break ended in losses.Before the break, the Trail Blazers had dropped their previous four home games. The first of three games to be played at home is scheduled for Friday against Denver.
On February 15, the Trail Blazers lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves 128-91 in their last game before the break. Portland was down after the first quarter, 44-14.The announcement that center Duop Reath had signed a conventional NBA contract was the finest news Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups had heard during the All-Star break. Reath was involved in a mutual agreement.
Reath, who is 27 years old, has averaged 8.9 points and 3.8 rebounds in 40 games as a rookie, making him a reliable player. Eleven starts have been made by him. Billups told reporters, “I love seeing people get what they deserve.” He’s had a significant influence on our group. The most joyful thing that transpired during the interval was that.”
Reath declared that he was amazed to hear the news. He had not come to Portland with high hopes. “I just wanted to come in here and give it my all and see what happens,” Reath stated. Due to a strained left ankle, rookie point guard Scoot Henderson, who participated in the Rising Stars game linked with the All-Star Game, will miss Friday’s game.
Portland will thus be lacking in depth at this point because Malcolm Brogdon, an experienced player, is still injured. Jabari Walker, a forward, is listed as questionable due to an ankle injury.After Denver’s victory over the Wizards, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope left the game with a sprained finger on his right hand. Malone did not know how serious it was.
Earlier in the season, the Nuggets defeated Portland 120-108 on February 2 and 112-103 on February 4 in a home back-to-back series. Jokic recorded a triple-double in the opening game, including a season-high 22 rebounds.