LOS ANGELES (AFP) — The Denver Nuggets strengthened their playoff position with a triple double from history-making Nikola Jokic helping them to a 117-109 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday.
The Serb put up 26 points, 13 assists and 16 rebounds, and his 34th triple double performance ensured he will finish the regular season as just the third player averaging a triple double across an entire season.
The 15-point comeback victory was the second straight win for interim head coach David Adelman, who took over when Michael Malone was fired on Tuesday in a surprise move.
Malone, who led Denver to the National Basketball Association championship in 2023, was dismissed after a four-game losing streak.
The win means the Nuggets improve to 49-32 on the season and have a real chance of grabbing fourth place and home court advantage in the playoffs.
Aaron Gordon top scored with 33 points for Denver while Jamal Murray, back from a six-game injury absence, played a key role down the stretch and ended with 15 points and seven assists.