\u201cIt\u2019s not really a high-percentage shot,\u201d Jokic said. \u201cBut I took it to make it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJokic has come close a couple of times this year, so when it left his hands, I thought, \u2018That has a chance.\u2019 And then, boom,\u201d teammate Russell Westbrook said. \u201cThe best part of it was no reaction from him, which I love.\u201d<\/p>\n
Indeed, Jokic strolled to the huddle expressionless after Aaron Gordon embraced him and Ball Arena erupted.<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks for giving me an assist,\u201d said Gordon, who inbounded the ball to Jokic under Denver\u2019s basket. It was Gordon\u2019s only assist of the night.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know why I didn\u2019t react a little bit better, like CB (Christian Braun). Whenever he dunks, he likes to flex,\u201d Jokic said. \u201cOr DJ (DeAndre Jordan). Whatever he does \u2014 wave to the crowd. Talk to the referee. Talk to the other coach. He always does something.\u201d<\/p>\n
Winners of 10 in their last 11 coming into Denver, the Kings promptly responded with a 14-0 run to start the fourth quarter, forcing Jokic to return to a game that he had seemed fated to finish on the bench yet again. That\u2019s been the trend lately, with the red-hot Nuggets comfortably beating their last three opponents.<\/p>\n
But Sacramento\u2019s run forced Malone to return to his safety blanket, who helped to slow down but not completely halt the comeback. The Kings got the deficit down to six with two minutes remaining before a baby hook from Jokic steadied the ship.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot every win is gonna be where you don\u2019t have to put Nikola back in the fourth quarter,\u201d Malone said. \u201cWe had to tonight. \u2026 They made it a game, and our guys responded well enough to get the win.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the end, it took 35 points, 22 rebounds, 17 assists and two blocks from the reigning MVP for Denver (28-16) to hold on. Jokic made 12 of 19 shots from the field in his 20th triple-double of the season. He has registered a triple-double by the end of the third quarter in five consecutive games.<\/p>\n
![\"Russell](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/TDP-L-NUGGETS-KINGSAO2_7227xxx.jpg\")
Russell Westbrook (4) of the Denver Nuggets drives on De\u2019Aaron Fox (5) of the Sacramento Kings during the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz\/The Denver Post)<\/p>\n
\u201cI think this is the best basketball of my life, that I have ever played. I\u2019m feeling good out there,\u201d Jokic said. \u201cI\u2019m in shape. The ball is going in. I\u2019m feeling good. I think I can influence the game on different levels.\u201d<\/p>\n
Domantas Sabonis led the Kings with 23 points, 19 rebounds and eight assists. Doug McDermott got hot off the bench in the fourth, leading the comeback effort with five 3s.<\/p>\n
The Nuggets have won eight of their last nine as they prepare to embark on a five-game road trip, their longest of the season, that starts Saturday at Minnesota.<\/p>\n
First, they had to weather several storms from Sacramento, even before the final frame. The third quarter ended with a 9-3 Denver run in the last 35 seconds, bolstering a lead that had started to slip. Julian Strawther and Peyton Watson both knocked down 3s. Then De\u2019Aaron Fox hit one with 1.7 seconds left \u2014 leaving too much time for Jokic.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t even see the shot. I was pissed off at the defensive play before,\u201d Malone said. \u201cI didn\u2019t even see it. I just heard the crowd go crazy, and I didn\u2019t really give a (crap) because I was just mad about our defense. So I\u2019ll have to go back and watch it. Sounds like a three-quarters court shot?\u201d<\/p>\n
The NBA clocked it at 66 feet, officially, but Jokic released the shot from behind Denver\u2019s free-throw line, which is about 70 feet from the opposite basket on a straight line. He was also off to the side, standing near the 3-point arc on the wing.<\/p>\n
Jokic said he \u201cknew it was going in.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was straight to the basket,\u201d he elaborated. \u201cI said, \u2018This is going in probably.\u2019 It had a really good line.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNikola, the touch that he has, that\u2019s what it comes down to,\u201d Malone said. \u201cTo make that shot \u2014 even just to hit the rim \u2014 how many guys could even hit the rim on that shot?\u201d<\/p>\n
The Serbian center leads the NBA in shot attempts behind the half-court line this season, but this was the first heave he has made in his career. Earlier this season in Los Angeles, he attempted an 80-foot tip shot off an inbound pass with 0.2 seconds remaining in the third quarter. He managed to punch the ball within a foot of the rim.<\/p>\n
\u201cWho knows? Maybe it\u2019s going to go in,\u201d Jokic said. \u201cIt\u2019s three points. I think it can help us.\u201d<\/p>\n