Jokic stays hot, drops 48 points

LOS ANGELES (AFP) — Serbian Nikola Jokic produced another dazzling high-scoring performance with a 48-point masterpiece as the Denver Nuggets crushed the Atlanta Hawks, 141-111, on the road on Sunday.

Reigning National Basketball Association (NBA) Most Valuable Player Jokic — who scored a career-high 56 points in vain during a defeat to Washington on Saturday — was nearly unplayable in a dominant display that included 14 rebounds, eight assists and three steals.

Michael Porter Jr. added 26 points for Denver while Christian Braun finished with 17 and Julian Strawther 13 in a wire-to-wire blowout against an Atlanta outfit who had gone into the contest on a six-game winning streak.

Denver coach Michael Malone was left purring with pleasure at Jokic’s performance, describing the opportunity to coach the Serbian superstar as a privilege.

“I can’t say I’m surprised because I’ve been spoiled by having the best seat in the house to watch this guy for 10 years, to watch him do it night-in, night-out,” Malone said.