By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
After being listed as questionable due to left ankle inflammation, Nikola Jokic lasted 38 minutes and helped the Denver Nuggets rally in the fourth quarter to beat the Sacramento Kings, 116-110, in Ball Arena.
On Wednesday, the Serbian superstar posted a 22-point, 15-rebound double-double alongside six assists and one steal.
Digging its way out of a 14-point hole, the team coached by Michael Malone took over late and went on to improve to 40-22 in the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season.
“Availability is one of the most important stats in this business, and his availability is amongst the greatest players to play this game,” the 53-year-old play-caller described Jokic during a postgame press conference.
Cleared after a long rehab following surgery in his left knee, Slovenian Vlatko Cancar was finally removed from the injury list and suited up but did not play. Croatian Dario Saric stayed on the bench as well.
On the losing end, Lithuanian Jonas Valanciunas remained in the starting lineup, replacing fellow Lithuanian Domantas Sabonis (left hamstring strain), and produced a 19-point, 13-rebound double-double plus six assists and two steals over 31 minutes.
Deni Avdija exits
Payton Pritchard and Derrick White scored career-highs of 43 and 41 points as the Boston Celtics took down the Portland Trail Blazers, 128-118, in TD Garden.
Israeli Deni Avdija hurt his left quadricep and exited early in the fourth quarter. The 24-year-old combo forward had 12 points behind 5/10 field goals, six rebounds, two assists, and two blocks, before possibly reaggravating a recent quad injury.
Fellow Blazers starter, Belgian Toumani Camara finished with 12 points, four rebounds, and two assists. As for French teammates, Rayan Rupert stayed on the bench and Sidy Cissoko was left out of the lineup.
For the C’s, Latvian Kristaps Porzingis (illness) remained sidelined, while Portuguese Neemias Queta went for four points, four rebounds, and one block.