Jokic approaches 200 triple-doubles and lashes out at his fans: "They are no longer welcome"
Jamal Murray (42 points) and the center (35+15+10) lead the Nuggets' overtime win, after they trailed by as many as 23 amid boos from their own crowd
The Nuggets' home opener was as turbulent as it gets. The home team found themselves trailing the Pelicans by 23 points (30-53) amid boos from their own fans. Then came a great comeback in the second half, an overtime victory, and Nikola Jokic's criticism of those who booed the team .
"They booed us in our first home game, and I think those fans no longer have any reason to come . If they follow us, they know we never give up and that we have come back from much worse situations. So, if you ask me, they are no longer welcome" , said the Serbian center, who finished with 35 points, eight of them in overtime, 15 rebounds and 10 assists . It was his 199th triple-double of his NBA career, which now leaves him just 10 short of Russell Westbrook's record . If there are no setbacks, he will break it this season.
The other architect of the feat was Jamal Murray, who scored 42 points . And the rookie Trevon Brazile, who scored seven of his 17 points in overtime , also played an important role, including a key three-pointer that put the Nuggets up by four points (133-129) with 1:25 remaining.
Jokic could not find an explanation for his team's poor first half. "Simply, nothing goes right for you. They make shots and you don't. There was bad energy and you need a couple of minutes to be able to get out of that" , the center analyzed. The Pelicans shot 65.9% from the field in the first half, which reflects quite badly on the home defense. At halftime they were leading 57-73 .
Murray and Jokic take charge
Coming out of the locker room, Jokic and Murray took control of the proceedings. They scored 22 of Denver's 32 points in the third quarter , but even so they were unable to cut the deficit by much. New Orleans, led by Trey Murphy (26) and Dejounte Murray (22) , were still 19 points ahead shortly after the start of the final period (91-110) .
A Murray three-pointer and an Aaron Gordon dunk put the Nuggets on their rival’s tail. The shooting guard, with two free throws with 16 seconds left, tied the game at 126, and Murphy lost the ball on the Pelicans’ final possession. In overtime, Jokic and Brazile scored all 15 of Denver’s points, and the Ball Arena crowd turned boos into ovations. The Serbian has not forgotten the former.
