jpwinner gaming NBA: Nikola Jokic stays hot with 48 points as Nuggets rout Hawks
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) and Atlanta Hawks forward De’Andre Hunter (12) battle for a rebound in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
ATLANTA — Nikola Jokic scored 48 points and the Denver Nuggets never trailed in their 141-111 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday night.
The Nuggets snapped a two-game losing streak that included Saturday night’s 122-113 loss at Washington, ending the Wizards’ 16-game losing streak. Jokic scored a career-high 56 points in the loss.
Article continues after this advertisementJokic kept up his hot shooting against Atlanta and added 14 rebounds and eight assists. Michael Porter Jr. matched his season high with 26 points.
FEATURED STORIES SPORTS After taking Game 1, UP works to prevent history from repeating itself SPORTS PVL: Jema Galanza delivers anew for Creamline SPORTS UAAP Finals: UP shuts down La Salle to win Game 1 READ: NBA: Nikola Jokic career high comes during low point for NuggetsThere's consistency… there's dominance… and then there's the Joker.
🤯 56, 16 and 8 last night🤯 48, 14 and 8 tonight
Nikola Jokić is consistently dominant. pic.twitter.com/b3XZGnS2fZ
— NBA (@NBA) December 9, 2024
De’Andre Hunter led Atlanta with 20 points. Hunter was escorted to the locker room midway through the third quarter after he was hit on his head on a blocked shot by Aaron Gordon, who was not called for a foul, but returned
Article continues after this advertisementDyson Daniels added 18 points and Trae Young had 15 points and 10 assists for the Hawks.
Article continues after this advertisementJamal Murray was sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Article continues after this advertisement TakeawaysNuggets: Denver set season highs with 43 assists, including 11 by Russell Westbrook, and 62.9% shooting from the field (56 of 89).
Hawks: Hunter has scored at least 20 points in six of his last seven games, including four in a row.
Article continues after this advertisement READ: NBA: Wizards snap 16-game skid, overcome Nikola Jokic, Nuggets Key momentAfter trailing 45-25, the Hawks made a surge that cut Denver’s lead to 51-39. The Nuggets used two of Porter’s six first-half dunks to reclaim their momentum and led 71-48, their biggest lead of the game, at halftime.
Key statThe Nuggets made 21 of 44 shots in the first half (61.4%). The Hawks, meanwhile, were on pace to match their worst shooting mark of the season by making 17 of 51 shots (33.3%).
Up nextDenver returns home to face the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday, and Atlanta plays at the New York Knicks on Wednesday.
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