By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Overcoming the latest huge triple-double by Nikola Jokic, his 16th in the 2025-26 NBA Regular Season and 180th of his career, the Orlando Magic rallied past the Denver Nuggets to prevail, 127-126. Before collapsing in Kia Center, David Adelman’s side peaked at a 17-point advantage.
“Two completely different halves. We didn’t play any defense in the second half. They were just laying the ball in,” mentioned the 30-year-old Jokic in a postgame media session. “They were just like going by us or even overpowering us. So, it was not our best third and fourth quarter.”
“In the end, we had looks, we had shots, but we couldn’t make it. We had opportunities, but they won the game,” he added.
Logging 38:01 on Saturday, the Serbian superstar scored a team-high 34 points on 11/22 two-pointers and 12/13 free throws, grabbed 21 rebounds, and dished 12 assists.
“I think in the first half, we did a good job. And then, when you start playing like that, it’s just…,” he also looked into a team total of 16 turnovers, including four at the individual level.
Over 9:59 in Orlando, Lithuanian backup Jonas Valanciunas tallied four points, four rebounds, and one assist, to go with three turnovers.
Besides falling to 22-9 in the Regular Season, Jokic was asked to comment on the upcoming NBA All-Star Game featuring a new USA versus World format.
“We’re going to see it. Maybe it’s going to be good, maybe it’s not. So, I don’t know what to expect,” confessed the Sombor native.
With German Franz Wagner (left high ankle sprain), Georgian Goga Bitadze (left knee strain), and German Moritz Wagner (left knee injury recovery) remaining sidelined for the Magic, German Tristan da Silva chipped in 17 points, five rebounds, and one steal over 30:26 off the bench. French Noah Penda added two points, four rebounds, and two assists in 10:15.