We nonetheless don’t know the explanation why Nikola Jokic has been out of the competitors for the previous week, however all we all know is that it has to do along with his household. On Tuesday night time, the Nuggets introduced for a third-consecutive match that he wasn’t going to take part for private causes.
The Serbian huge man, who’s a three-time league MVP, is presently main Denver in stats with 29.7 factors, 13.7 rebounds and 11.7 assists per contest. Solely downside is, the Colorado workforce had misplaced the primary two video games with out him in opposition to New Orleans and Memphis.
After lastly beating the Grizzlies final night time, the press requested coach Michael Malone if he thought the European participant can be out there for Friday’s dwelling sport in opposition to the Mavericks, however he wasn’t positive. “I don’t know about Friday,” the tactician stated. “Clearly, there’s no information out of Denver. So we are going to revisit that once we get dwelling.”
Requested Russell Westbrook after the sport about being on the identical workforce because the participant that’s chasing his triple-double report.
He calls Nikola Jokić the very best basketball participant on the planet and says the 2 can “take turns” getting triple-doubles pic.twitter.com/sfAv7N2mdO
— Katy Winge (@katywinge) November 20, 2024
“We shouldn’t play another way,” Malone stated of not having his star middle. “Clearly, you don’t have a three-time MVP. I feel now we have to play more durable. That must be with Nikola or with out Nikola. I feel now we have to play extra bodily.”
This Tuesday night time was a particular one for Russell Westbrook, who turned the primary participant in NBA historical past to put up 200 triple-doubles throughout Denver’s win over Memphis. The veteran guard reached this milestone very late within the match, which ended 122-100 in his favor.
The 36-year-old ended the competition with 12 factors, 10 rebounds and 14 assists, however was in want of a last rebound with a minute and a half left on the clock to attain this feat. With 1:28 left within the fourth, his teammate Dario Saric missed a shot from past the arc and he jumped within the air to earn his first offensive rebound of the night.
The match was very tight because the Grizzlies have been a relentless risk to the Nuggets, however fortunately Saric then settled the sport by dropping a last three-pointer with 27.7 second to the ultimate buzzer. As soon as the competition was over, Russell stated he wasn’t thanking Dario for lacking the shot that gave him the triple-double.
Westbrook thanks his teammates for serving to him obtain his 2 hundredth triple-double, however is usually joyful to have earned a win for the Nuggets
“I thank him for making the following one to shut the sport, which is crucial,” Westbrook stated in a joking trend, as he did respect Saric having dropped in his second try from vary which earned the Nuggets one other win. Now Denver is sitting fifth within the West with an 8-5 report.
By the top of the NBA Cup conflict, the All-Star was given the sport ball and was celebrated inside Denver’s locker room. Along with his newest achievement, he’s now 19 triple-doubles forward of Oscar Robertson and 62 from Magic Johnson.
“It’s a blessing,” Russell stated of main a milestone that additionally has gamers like LeBron James, Jason Kidd, Wilt Chamberlain and even teammate Nikola Jokic on the checklist. “I’m actually grateful to have the ability to play the sport (properly sufficient) to try this. However I’m additionally appreciative of those who got here earlier than me.”
Regardless of making historical past, the veteran was principally joyful for contributing to Denver profitable one other sport. “Anytime we win and I get them, I’m all the time grateful for that,” stated Westbrook, who can also be grateful for sustaining his kind at his outdated age. “It’s my favourite time.”
