INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Denver Nuggets demonstrated their resilience by defeating the Indiana Pacers 125-116 on Monday night, led by Nikola Jokic, who achieved a career-best 19 assists. This impressive performance came alongside 18 points and nine rebounds, contributing significantly to the Nuggets' comeback after their recent loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Aaron Gordon also shone brightly for Denver, scoring 25 points, marking him as one of the standout players of the evening. Michael Porter Jr. added to the scoring tally with 19 points and 11 rebounds, showcasing his capacity as both scorer and rebounder. Christian Braun and Jamal Murray chipped in 17 and 16 points, respectively, rounding out the Nuggets' well-balanced attack.
On the opposing side, Myles Turner led the Pacers with 23 points. Tyrese Haliburton also had a strong showing with 19 points and 15 assists. Pascal Siakam contributed another 19 points, and Aaron Nesmith scored 17. Despite the loss, Indiana's performance featured moments of brilliance, especially early on.
The Nuggets boasted a shooting accuracy of 56%, which proved decisive as they took control of the game early. They dominated the rebounding battle with a 46-32 advantage, which played a key role as the Pacers attempted to catch up. At one point, Denver held a comfortable lead of 13 points before heading to halftime with a slight 64-58 lead.
The Pacers had previously narrowed the Nuggets' lead to just one at 56-55 thanks to Obi Toppin's fast break dunk. Nevertheless, Denver responded immediately with a swift 6-0 run to regain command. The Nuggets excelled at scoring points inside, notching 74 against the Pacers' 46, showcasing their strength under the basket.
Key moments came late when, after the Pacers pulled within 115-108, Gordon hit a pivotal 19-foot jumper, and soon after, Jokic assisted Braun for a layup following an alley-oop, which solidified Denver's position as they held onto the lead.
This victory not only improved the Nuggets' record after snapping their nine-game winning streak against the Lakers but also marked Indiana's first defeat after three consecutive wins. While the Pacers had their share of highlights, they struggled to stop Denver’s inside game, which made all the difference.
Looking forward, the Nuggets are set to face the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday, hoping to build on this momentum. Meanwhile, the Pacers will host the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday, aiming to bounce back after the loss.