NBA Top Five Performances, Jan. 31: Nikola Jokic’s Triple Double Powered the Denver Nuggets Past New Orleans Pelicans
TOP PLAYER OF THE DAY:
Some thought the MVP conversation was turning the tide when the Denver Nuggets lost to Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers.
Nikola Jokic continued to prove he is the runaway favorite. He had his 16th triple double against the New Orleans Pelicans with 26 points, 15 assists and 18 rebounds. The Nuggets remain undefeated when Jokic has a triple-double.
Nuggets point guard Jamal Murray said he believes the team can win a championship this season, and commended Jokic’s performance in the postgame interview.
“Nothing surprises me at this point,” Murray said. “He’s just so consistent. He just does it so easy. Whether it’s double team or single coverage, he keeps hooping and finding his guys. He’s just amazing, what he does every night is incredible.”
OTHERS:
- LeBron James’ triple-double against the New York Knicks edged him closer to the all-time scoring title. James finished with 28 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists.
- Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way for the Milwaukee Bucks against the Charlotte Hornets. He finished with 34 points, 18 rebounds and four assists.
- Lamelo Ball stuffed the stat sheet against the Bucks despite the loss. Ball finished with 27 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds, three blocks and three steals. It was the eighth triple-double of his career.
- Kawhi Leonard had 33 points, five steals and five assists in the Clippers’ victory over the Chicago Bulls. It was Leonard’s sixth 30-point game of the month.
Jayden Armant is a contributor to Inside the Heat. He is a student at Howard University. He can be reached at jayden.armant@bison.howard.edu or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.
