DENVER (AP) — The peach-colored coordination between Jamal Murray (sneakers) and Nikola Jokic (swimsuit) was purely by chance.
This wasn’t: Murray handing over his finest Jokic imitation.
Murray bought his first profession triple-double and the Denver Nuggets prolonged their successful streak to 9 video games by routing the Indiana Pacers 134-111 on Friday night time with out Jokic.
The two-time reigning NBA MVP sat out due to hamstring tightness.
Murray completed with 17 factors, 14 assists and 10 rebounds to replicate the sort of manufacturing normally seen from Jokic, who leads the league in triple-doubles. Jokic had a courtside seat for the Jamal Murray Show and congratulated his level guard teammate after the feat.
“I was just playing our game, playing aggressive,” Murray defined. “We were just having fun out there. The ball was hopping.”
About their color-coordinated ensemble: “I didn’t know he was going to come in looking like a peach,” Murray cracked.
About emulating Jokic in stepping into the triple-double division: “He steals a lot of my triple-doubles,” Murray cracked once more. “It was good to lastly get one on the board.”
Aaron Gordon scored 28 factors and Michael Porter Jr. added 19 because the Western Conference-leading Nuggets ran their house win streak to 16 video games. They have not misplaced at Ball Arena since Dec. 6 towards Dallas.
Nuggets performing head coach David Adelman improved to 3-0. Michael Malone stays out after coming into the league’s well being and security protocols.
A stat line Malone will definitely admire — a season-high 38 assists. This, too — 16 steals.
“It was really fun to see our guys continue to play the way we play regardless of who’s on the court,” Adelman mentioned. “It was fun because a lot of guys contributed. Those are special nights.”
Adelman was particularly happy for Murray, who’s been working his approach again from a torn ACL that stored him out all final season.
“He’s already had such a storied career here as a Nugget and everything he’s been through,” Adelman mentioned. “So it’s very cool to see that.”
Bennedict Mathurin had 19 factors and Chris Duarte added 18 for the Pacers, who dropped their sixth straight recreation. Indiana went 8 of 32 from 3-point vary.
“We’re making a lot of mistakes. We’re not taking care of the ball, including me,” Duarte mentioned. “We just have to cut that down. I feel if we cut the turnovers down we’re going to be there with the other teams.”
Denver had a back-to-back-to-back dunk sequence within the third quarter that drew thunderous applause from the gang.
The Nuggets had been jamming alongside all night time with 16 dunks. That was tied for his or her most since 1996-97 (towards Washington on March 20, 2009), in accordance to the staff.
“We’re very unselfish,” Murray mentioned. “We don’t really care who scores. We’re just playing free.”
Pacers: Indiana has misplaced six in a row to Denver. … Indiana heart Myles Turner had 15 factors.
Nuggets: F Vlatko Cancar missed the sport due to an sickness not associated to COVID-19. … F Jeff Green was again after sitting out 14 video games with a damaged hand. He completed with six factors. … G Bones Hyland did not play within the second half. He had six factors.
Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton participated in some taking pictures contests together with his teammates Friday. Haliburton has missed the final 5 video games (sprained knee/elbow).
“I don’t know exactly when he’ll play, but he’s doing well,” coach Rick Carlisle mentioned.
Adelman mentioned Jokic sitting out was extra of a precaution.
“He just had a little discomfort,” Adelman mentioned. “If he’s not the best player in the world, he’s close, so if he’s feeling discomfort, we’re not going to take a chance.”
Pacers: Finish a four-game journey Saturday at Phoenix.
Nuggets: Close out a five-game homestand Sunday towards Oklahoma City.
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