NBA: Nikola Jokic’s triple-double powers Nuggets past Kings

Nikola Jokic put up 14 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists and the host Denver Nuggets used a dominating stretch in the second and third quarters to beat the short-handed Sacramento Kings 117-96 on Wednesday.

Jokic, who sat out the fourth quarter of the blowout, has logged triple-doubles in each of his last four games, giving him 19 on the season. He helped Denver avoid getting swept in the four-game season series against Sacramento.

Jamal Murray scored 32 points on 13-for-15 shooting for the Nuggets.

Aaron Gordon had 17 points, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 16 points and Michael Porter Jr. finished with 14 points for the Nuggets, who have won four straight out of the All-Star break.

De’Aaron Fox, who led the Kings to the three wins over Denver by averaging 23.6 points and 11.3 assists, was ruled out with a left knee contusion an hour before tipoff. It is the seventh game he missed this season.

Keegan Murray scored 21 points, Chris Duarte scored 18, Malik Monk contributed 14 points and Domantas Sabonis finished with 13 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists for Sacramento.

The Kings led 47-32 with eight minutes left in the second quarter, but Denver dominated the rest of the way. Gordon began to heat up, converting a three-point play and throwing down three dunks while scoring 11 of his 13 first-half points in the final 6:35.

Jamal Murray drained a couple of long 3-pointers, the last one capping a 33-8 run that gave the Nuggets a 65-55 halftime lead.

Denver continued to surge to start the third quarter, going up by 18 on a steal and dunk from Caldwell-Pope. The gap grew to 83-59 when Murray hit a circus layup as he was fouled and made the free throw to complete the three-point play.

The Nuggets continued to pull away and took a 100-68 lead when Caldwell-Pope hit a corner 3-pointer with 1:14 left in the third quarter.

Sacramento got within 104-83 early in the fourth quarter but never really threatened to make it a game.

–Field Level Media/Reuters