DENVER – Nicola Zhokic has 31 points, 21 rebounds and a career-high 22 assists, and the Denver Nuggets lasted longer than the Phoenix Suns 149-141, who worked overtime on Friday night after losing a 21-point lead.
Jokic became the first NBA player with at least 30 points, 20 rebounds and 20 assists triple doubles. He tied his team record in the 29th triple double of the season, increasing his career total to 149.
Aaron Gordon scored a career-high seven 3-pointers and 27 points for Denver. Kevin Durant scored 29 points for Phoenix and worked overtime with a 3-pointer on the regulation buzzer.
Jokic opened up an extra period with a floater in the lane, causing a 7-0 run. The Nuggets were led by 11 people after a dunk and layup from Christian Brown, with 51 seconds left.
Three nights after overcoming a 23-point deficit by beating the Los Angeles Clippers 119-117 at home, the Suns chased 85-64 for the third time, cutting it towards the fourth. They advanced 122-120 in the final minute, but Denver responded, taking a 125-122 lead with Brown's three-pointer with 1.4 seconds left.
Take home
Sands: Devin Booker scored 16 of 34 points in the fourth quarter, but overtime was scoreless. Mason Plumley had 18 points and 11 rebounds.
nugget: Denver led the league with assists with 31 per game, matching it in three-quarters and finishing at 38.
Important moments
Denver outperformed Phoenix 12-2 in the first 2:48 of overtime.
Key Statistics
The Nuggets entered the 28th on the NBA with 3 pointers per game at 12, hitting that mark on Gordon's fifth night with 4:58 left in the second quarter. They finished 21 out of 40.
next
The Sands will be in Dallas on Sunday. The Nuggets will play the first game of two straight games in Oklahoma City on Sunday night.
