By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Setting a new franchise record with a tenth straight win on the road, the Denver Nuggets overpowered the Charlotte Hornets, 115-106, in Spectrum Center.
Combining scoring and creativity, Nikola Jokic took over for his side to build some separation in the second half and eventually jump to 17-6 in the 2025-26 NBA Regular Season. The team coached by David Adelman retained a tie with the Los Angeles Lakers in second place of the Western Conference standings and a distance of 5.5 games from the leading Oklahoma City Thunder.
With his 11 assists on Sunday, the 30-year-old Serbian center improved his regular-season career total to 5,363, three more than Michael Jordan and equal to the career total of Chauncey Billups. He remains out of the Top 50 on the all-time list and even further away from John Stockton’s league record of 15,806.
Making 11/16 from the field, including 4/8 triples, Jokic also chipped in 28 points to go with nine rebounds and one steal in just under 35 minutes. Jamal Murray produced a game-high 34 points. Lasting 13 minutes off the bench, Lithuanian Jonas Valanciunas added eight points, four rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block.
With the hosts falling to 7-17, French reserve Tidjane Salaun neared 16 minutes, tallying five points, six rebounds, and one assist. However, the fellow French option for head coach Charles Lee, Moussa Diabate, was ruled out due to right knee soreness.
The next game for the Nuggets is on Thursday, opposite the Sacramento Kings in Golden 1 Center. The Hornets are back on Friday with the Chicago Bulls in Spectrum Center.