The Western Conference powerhouse Denver Nuggets snapped a two-game losing streak, led by a 40-point performance from Nikola Jokic.
The Nuggets defeated the Toronto Raptors 127-125 in overtime in their 2024-2025 NBA regular-season road game at Scotiabank Arena in Ontario, Canada on Monday night.
Denver, the defending NBA champions from the 2022-2023 season, finished second in the Western Conference with a 57-25 record last season, but the Nuggets got off to a rough start this season with back-to-back losses to 파워사다리 open the year.
The acquisition of veteran guard Russell Westbrook has only highlighted their weaknesses from beyond the arc, making them a “point of emphasis” for teams playing against them.
With Westbrook scoring just six and two points in the opening game against the Oklahoma City Thunder and the LA Clippers, respectively, the pressure was on Ace Jokic, and the Nuggets started the season with two losses.
Trailing 83-88 heading into the fourth quarter, the Nuggets were down 101-111 when Scottie Barnes hit a three-pointer with just over two minutes left in regulation.
That’s when the “one-two punch” of Jokic and Jermale Murray stepped up. While Yokichi scored three times from under the basket, Murray added three assists in less than two minutes, and with the score 112-114, he took a pass from Yokichi and made a tough layup from under the basket to extend the game.
After passing the baton to Murray, Jokic scored seven points in the first five minutes of overtime to give Denver a two-point victory.
Jokic, the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) last season, torched Toronto under the basket with 40 points and 10 rebounds.
Murray added 17 points from beyond the arc, while Westbrook, who was criticized by fans for his first two games, had a much better game with nine points and four rebounds.
Toronto had an even performance with six players in double figures, including key forward Barnes (21 points), but couldn’t stop Jokic in the clutch and suffered its third loss of the season.
The Los Angeles Lakers, who had won three straight to lead the West, lost 105-109 to the Phoenix Suns. It was their first loss of the season.
Both teams now have a 3-1 record.
Anthony Davis led the way for the Lakers with 29 points, 15 rebounds, and three blocked shots, as he had in the previous three games, but the Lakers were without their star, LeBron James.
With just 11 points and eight assists, James played just over 36 minutes and missed 11 of 14 shots.
However, Kevin Durant, one of the NBA’s best forwards, poured in 30 points to lead Phoenix to victory.
U.S. national team shooting guard Devin Booker also exploded for 33 points to share the win with Durant.