Nikola Jokic shines as the Denver Nuggets secure a victory against the…
Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid took center stage in Saturday’s NBA matchups. Jokic notched his 25th triple-double of the season, propelling the Denver Nuggets to a commanding 142-110 victory over the Atlanta Hawks. This win catapulted the Nuggets to the top of the fiercely competitive Western Conference, guaranteeing them a spot in the playoffs. Meanwhile, Embiid contributed 30 points for the Philadelphia 76ers, bolstering their chances of making the playoffs in the Eastern Conference.
In Denver’s win, Jamal Murray made a notable return, chipping in 16 points and six assists in just 21 minutes of play. Despite dealing with illness, Reggie Jackson impressed off the bench for the Hawks, tallying 18 points.
Nuggets coach Michael Malone commended both Murray and Jackson, expressing gratitude for their contributions. He praised Jackson’s resilience in playing through adversity and highlighted Murray’s return, which allowed Jackson to resume his role in the second unit.
Clint Capela led the scoring for the Hawks with 19 points, but Bogdan Bogdanovic graciously acknowledged the prowess of Murray and Jokic, labeling them as the league’s top duo.
With the victory, the Nuggets claim the top spot in the Western Conference, edging ahead of the Minnesota Timberwolves by a half-game. Their upcoming showdown against the Timberwolves on Wednesday could determine the division’s top seed.
Both teams are set for action on Tuesday, with the Hawks hosting the Miami Heat and the Nuggets visiting the Utah Jazz.
