Short-handed Nuggets Triumph Over Pacers
Nikola Jokic delivered an impressive performance with 32 points, 14 rebounds, and 14 assists, marking his sixth triple-double in nine games this season. His effort led the short-handed Denver Nuggets to a 117-100 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Saturday night, completing a four-game home winning streak.
Injuries Impact Nuggets Lineup
Denver played without key players Jamal Murray (left calf tightness) and Aaron Gordon (left hamstring) during the second game of a back-to-back. Jalen Pickett and Peyton Watson, who scored a season-high 16 points, started in their place. Gordon, who missed 31 games last season due to injuries, is currently averaging a career-best 20.1 points per game.
“If he feels something that can turn into something worse, there is a little bit of apprehension,” Denver coach David Adelman said before the game. “Aaron’s a guy we have to protect … because there’s just not that many human beings that are that big and jump that high and explode like that.”
Indiana Pacers Struggle with Player Absences
The Pacers, dealing with multiple absences early this season, suffered their eighth loss in nine games. Andrew Nembhard returned from a left shoulder strain that sidelined him for seven games.
- Aaron Nesmith led Indiana with 25 points.
- Andrew Nembhard contributed 22 points.
- Monte Morris, recently signed, scored one point in 15 minutes on the court.
Summary
The Nuggets overcame injuries and leveraged Jokic’s outstanding triple-double to secure a decisive win over the struggling Pacers squad.
Author’s conclusion: Even without key starters, Denver’s resilience and Jokic’s leadership propelled them to a strong victory against a depleted Indiana team.