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Nikola Jokić becomes just the second NBA player ever – and the first in 62 years – to reach a historic milestone
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Nikola Jokić becomes just the second NBA player ever – and the first in 62 years – to reach a historic milestone

Even by Nikola Jokić’s stratospheric standards, Tuesday’s performance was something special.

Jokić scored an absurd 29 points, 18 rebounds and 16 assists in the Denver Nuggets’ 144-139 overtime win over the Brooklyn Nets, becoming only the second player in NBA history and the first in 62 years to achieve those statistics .

The only player to previously reach this total in a game was Oscar Robertson, who did it twice in 1962.

The Nuggets (2-2) needed every point, every rebound and every assist that Jokić gave them and fought back from a 17-point deficit in the first half before the Serb’s hook shot tied the game at a close 125-125 equalized There are nine seconds left in the fourth quarter.

In total, four Nuggets players reached the 20-point mark and six scored in double figures. Aaron Gordon and Jamal Murray had 24 points, while Russell Westbrook contributed 22 points off the bench – his best performance since joining the team.

The Nuggets have now played back-to-back OT games on consecutive nights following Monday night’s win over the Toronto Raptors.

“It’s just five minutes more, it’s not really a lot of extra playing time,” Jokić said.

For the Nets, Dennis Schröder had a team-high 14 assists for a team-high 28 points, Cam Thomas had 26 and Cameron Johnson had 20. Seven Nets players scored in double figures as Brooklyn moved to 1-3 on the year.

Luka Dončić leads the Mavericks to victory over the Timberwolves

Minnesota Timberwolves fans will have felt a familiar sense of defeat as they watched Luka Dončić hit a late three-pointer to seal the Dallas Mavericks’ 120-114 victory on Tuesday.

Dončić gave Timberwolves fans nightmares with his shooting in the Mavs’ 4-1 series win in last season’s Western Conference Finals, the first time the two teams have faced each other since.

The Slovenian finished the game with 24 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, while backcourt partner Kyrie Irving had 35 points, four rebounds and five assists.

Luka Dončić gave Timberwolves fans an unwanted sense of déjà vu. -David Berding/Getty ImagesLuka Dončić gave Timberwolves fans an unwanted sense of déjà vu. -David Berding/Getty Images

Luka Dončić gave Timberwolves fans an unwanted sense of déjà vu. -David Berding/Getty Images

Dončić had some good words for the T-Wolves crowd after practicing the three, just like he did in last season’s playoffs.

“I’ve heard a lot – they really like me here,” Dončić joked after the game, according to ESPN. “You know, last year was fun. It was a big moment in my career and in my life, so it was fun to be back.”

For the Timberwolves, who traded Karl-Anthony Towns for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo in the offseason, Anthony Edwards scored 37 points and six rebounds while Randle contributed 20 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.

The Warriors win without the injured Steph Curry

The Golden State Warriors rallied from a 20-point first-half deficit to claim a huge 124-106 win over the New Orleans Pelicans without injured star Steph Curry.

The Warriors were also without the injured Andrew Wiggins, but Buddy Hield stepped up with a team-high 28 points, including 7 of 11 from three-point range.

There were also 21 points, eight rebounds and four assists from Lindy Waters III, a surprising but welcome source of production for the Warriors.

The Warriors' role players stepped up in Curry's absence. —Thearon W. Henderson/Getty ImagesThe Warriors' role players stepped up in Curry's absence. —Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

The Warriors’ role players stepped up in Curry’s absence. —Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Head coach Steve Kerr had high praise for Waters III after the game.

“I’ve said it since the first day of camp: This guy is a ballplayer,” Kerr told reporters. “The game is on when he’s out there. It’s not just because he’s a good shooter, he’s also a good basketball player.

“It’s the shots he doesn’t take because of his patience. It’s the cuts he makes to the basket, it’s him getting into a fight defensively. Honestly, this guy was one of our best players from day one of camp.”

Curry is currently out with a sprained left ankle suffered in Sunday’s 112-104 loss to the Clippers and will be re-evaluated on Friday.

Zion Williamson had a game-high 31 points for the Pelicans, while Brandon Ingram added 30 points. However, some stale shooting from the team in the second quarter allowed Golden State to cut the deficit from 20 points to four at halftime before the Warriors started the third period to control the game.

The total points from Tuesday evening

Away at Home (winners in bold)

Denver Nuggets 144-139(OT) Brooklyn Nets

Dallas Mavericks 120-116 Minnesota Timberwolves

New Orleans Pelicans 106-124 Golden State Warriors

Sacramento Kings 113-96 Utah Jazz

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