Nikola Jokic tormented the Washington Wizards three months in the past and his spectacular effort did not even end in a victory.
As a result of his career-high 56 factors led to defeat, Jokic figures to pack loads of motivation when the Denver Nuggets host the Wizards on Saturday night time.
Jokic made 22 of 39 field-goal makes an attempt and picked up 16 rebounds and eight assists however his one-man domination ended with a 122-113 setback on Dec. 7.
Jokic’s scoring effort was the second greatest in Nuggets historical past behind David Thompson’s memorable 73-point outing on the ultimate day of the 1977-78 season. Thompson was bidding for the scoring title however completed second as a result of George Gervin scored 63 for the San Antonio Spurs later that day.
Nothing main like that was at stake however lowly Washington was thrilled with the end result.
Jordan Poole made a career-best 9 3-pointers and scored 39 factors within the contest because the Wizards snapped a six-game skid within the sequence.
Nuggets coach Michael Malone hasn’t forgotten what occurred in D.C.
“They already beat us,” Malone mentioned after Friday’s victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. “Even when we received by 40 or misplaced by 40, Washington already beat us. If there’s any, ‘Oh, we acquired these guys,’ – that is what we thought final time they usually beat us.
“If you’re enjoying towards a workforce that has already overwhelmed you, that must be all the eye you want going into the sport, for my part.”
Washington rested Friday night time in Denver whereas the Nuggets (43-24) had been preventing off the Lakers for a 131-126 house victory.
The rating was tied at 126 when Jamal Murray buried a 3-pointer with 5.6 seconds left. Murray had 26 factors.
Jokic scored 28 factors and Christian Braun added 22.
Malone was displeased with the competition towards a shorthanded Los Angeles workforce lacking LeBron James and Luka Doncic, amongst others.
“This is not a magnificence pageant,” Malone mentioned. “We do not get rated on our wins. It is a win.”
One factor that bothered Malone was that Jokic and Murray solely took 16 photographs apiece.
“I acquired to get these two guys 20 to 25 photographs per recreation, straightforward,” Malone mentioned. “That is no disrespect to anyone else. We’d like these guys to hold the offensive load.”
Saturday’s contest can be Denver’s fifth in seven nights.
League-worst Washington (14-51) has performed effectively these days by going 5-4 over its final 9 video games.
The Wizards break up a two-game sequence in Detroit, taking the latter one 129-125 on Thursday. Washington outscored the Pistons 33-24 within the remaining quarter.
“Guys simply stepped up,” Washington coach Brian Keefe mentioned. “All people was supporting one another. Whoever is on the market, acquired it completed. … Guys stepped up when their alternative was there. It is nice.”
Seven Wizards scored between 14 and 19 factors in a really balanced effort.
Alex Sarr had workforce highs of 19 factors and 4 blocked photographs and he additionally scored the go-ahead dunk with 53.6 seconds to play.
Poole and Justin Champagnie scored 17 factors apiece and Khris Middleton and Bub Carrington every added 16. Marcus Good had 15 factors and Corey Kispert added 14.
Carrington mentioned Tuesday’s 123-103 loss to the Pistons was a motivating issue.
“It is a mixture of self-discipline and particular person pleasure,” Carrington mentioned. “We knew we needed to preserve our depth.”
–Subject Stage Media
