By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
In a close game with 20 lead changes, the New York Knicks outlasted the Denver Nuggets, 134-127, after a second extra period at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday.
“Obviously, we couldn’t make a shot. They were playing really good defense,” explained Nikola Jokic in a postgame press conference, recapping the losing effort. “We had our chances, but probably did not execute.”
The Serbian superstar scored 30 points on 10/27 from the field, including 1/13 triples.
“I couldn’t make a shot. Especially late, it was more and more off. It happens. So, I will go back to the gym and work on it,” he reacted to his poor performance from beyond the arc.
Logging 87 minutes since returning to action after recovering from a left knee injury, Jokic lasted 44:37 in the double-overtime game.
“I think that in that moment it’s the normal thing to do,” he said, supporting the decision to bypass a possible minute restriction in this context.
“A little bit, but who cares,” he added, responding to a question about an ankle injury in the first quarter opposite the Knicks.
Combined with his 30 points, tallying 14 rebounds and ten assists shaped his 17th triple-double of the 2025-26 NBA Regular Season, and also placed him in a tie with Oscar Robertson at 181 regular-season triple-doubles, in second place of the all-time list behind Russell Westbrook’s 207.
Also in New York, Lithuanian backup Jonas Valanciunas had two points, three rebounds, and two assists in 12:47 for the team coached by David Adelman.
On the winning side, British starter OG Anunoby contributed 20 points, eight rebounds, and four assists over 47:57. Overcoming a sprained ankle on the top of a back-to-back, French Mohamed Diawara reached five points in 14:27, but German Ariel Hukporti did not score over 3:40, French Guerschon Yabusele did not play, and French Pacome Dadiet was on assignment with the G League affiliate, the Westchester Knicks.