DENVER (AP) — Jamal Murray had his first career triple-double and the Denver Nuggets extended their winning streak to nine by routing the Indiana Pacers 134-111 on Friday night, even without Nikola Jokic.
The Serbian, NBA Most Valuable Player the past two seasons, was absent with a stiff thigh problem.
Murray finished with 17 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds to match Jokic as well as possible.
Jokic, who leads the league in triple doubles, was left out of the game at the last minute. He sat courtside to watch Murray’s show, congratulating the point guard at the conclusion of the game.
Aaron Gordon scored 28 points and Michael Porter Jr. added 19 for the Western Conference-leading Nuggets, who extended their winning streak to 16. They haven’t lost at Ball Arena since Dec. 6, when Dallas beat them.
Nuggets replacement coach David Adelman improved to a 3-0 record. Michael Malone is still out, in compliance with NBA protocols for the coronavirus.
