Sports

Gordon's 27, Jokic's triple-double lead Nuggets past Thunder

November 3, 2022 / 9:27 PM MDT / AP

Nuggets' season gets underway on the road in Utah

Aaron Gordon scored 27 points, Nikola Jokic had a triple-double and the Denver Nuggets beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 122-110 on Thursday night.

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, is defended by Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, middle, and forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022, in Oklahoma City. Nate Billings / AP

Jokic, the two-time reigning league MVP, had 15 points, 13 rebounds and 13 assists. It was his third triple-double this season and the 79th of his career.

Jamal Murray added 24 points for the Nuggets, who were coming off a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 37 points and Lu Dort added 19 for the Thunder, who had won four straight.

Denver scored the game's first 13 points as the Thunder missed their first six shots. The Nuggets led 71-57 at halftime behind 23 points from Gordon. Jokic scored just two points in the first half, but he also had nine rebounds and eight assists.

Gordon's follow dunk over Oklahoma City's Darius Bazley gave Denver a 75-65 lead, but the Thunder were undeterred. Aleksej Pokusevski's layup finally gave Oklahoma City a 93-91 lead. The Thunder led 95-93 heading into the fourth.

Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., right, drives against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Tre Mann during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022, in Oklahoma City. Nate Billings / AP

The Nuggets took control in the final period by holding the Thunder to 7-for-22 shooting. Gilgeous-Alexander, who entered the night fourth in the league with 31.5 points per game, scored just four points in the fourth quarter.

TIP-INS

Nuggets: Shot 65.2% in the first quarter to take a 42-29 lead. ... Gordon scored 15 points in the first quarter. ... Beat the Thunder 122-117 on Oct. 22.

Denver Nuggets forward Bruce Brown, left, passes the ball away from Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022, in Oklahoma City. Nate Billings / AP

Thunder: Got fined $25,000 for violating league injury reporting rules. The league said Oklahoma City failed to disclose G Josh Giddey's game availability in "an accurate and timely manner" before its game against Orlando on Tuesday. ... Gilgeous-Alexander scored 17 points in the first quarter. ... Bench was called for a technical foul with 8:07 remaining and the game tied at 101.

UP NEXT

Nuggets: Host the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday.

Thunder: Visit the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday.