Jokic Leads Nuggets to Victory Over Celtics 103-84

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Denver Nuggets defeated the Boston Celtics 103-84 in a continuation of the NBA season after Nikola Jokic scored 30 points and 12 rebounds to secure a home win at Ball Arena, Denver, Thursday WIB.

Jokic recorded the double-double amidst less-than-efficient shooting accuracy. He made 11 of 28 attempts overall and 4 of 13 three-point shots, but still became the driving force behind the Nuggets’ resurgence.

Quoting the NBA website, Denver played almost the entire game without guard Jamal Murray, who left the court after 7 minutes and 51 seconds due to illness and did not return. Tim Hardaway Jr. added 14 points to help the Nuggets bounce back from a 1-2 (one win, two losses) road trip after the All-Star break.

From the Celtics’ side, Jaylen Brown returned to the lineup after missing the previous game in Phoenix due to a bruised right knee. Brown scored 23 points for Boston, which closed its Western Conference tour with a 3-1 record.

Derrick White contributed 20 points, 18 of which were scored in the second quarter. However, the Celtics, who had previously won five games in a row and nine of their last 10 games, failed to maintain their momentum in Denver.

In the game, the Nuggets also paid tribute to former coach Doug Moe through a video tribute during the first timeout. Moe, who passed away on February 17 at the age of 87, recorded 432 wins in 10 seasons with Denver and led the team to the Western Conference Finals in 1985 and two Midwest Division titles.

The Celtics will next host Brooklyn on Saturday (February 28), while the Nuggets will travel to Oklahoma City on the same day.