Nuggets Defeat Kings 130-124 with Stellar Performance from Jokic

The Denver Nuggets secured a 130-124 home victory over the Sacramento Kings on Monday night, continuing their dominance in this matchup with a sixth consecutive win dating back to the 2023-24 season. The win was highlighted by a stellar performance from Nikola Jokic, who finished with 34 points, 14 assists, seven rebounds, four steals, and two blocks, shooting 14-for-22 from the field and 4-for-10 from beyond the arc. Jokic set the tone early with 15 points in the first quarter and delivered key plays down the stretch to seal the win. Russell Westbrook, facing his former team for the first time since joining Sacramento, led the Kings with 26 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists. Westbrook received a tribute and standing ovation from the Denver crowd, acknowledging his impact during last season’s playoff run with the Nuggets. Despite the emotional return, Westbrook turned in a strong performance, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Denver’s efficient offense. Christian Braun provided a much-needed boost for the Nuggets, scoring a season-high 21 points on 7-for-10 shooting. His consistency at home has been notable, as all three of his games with 17 or more points this season have come at Ball Arena. Braun’s aggressive play and improved scoring helped Denver maintain control, especially when the Kings closed the gap in the fourth quarter. For Sacramento, Zach LaVine, who had been averaging nearly 30 points per game, was held to a season-low 15 points on 4-of-11 shooting. Seven Kings players scored in double figures, but the team struggled to slow down Jokic and the Nuggets’ offense, which never trailed throughout the game. The Nuggets continue their strong start to the 2025-26 season, showing resilience after a tough loss to Portland by bouncing back decisively. Denver’s recent dominance over Sacramento is reflected in their last five meetings, with wins of 124-116 (Apr 9, 2025), 116-110 (Mar 5, 2025), 132-123 (Jan 23, 2025), 130-129 (Dec 16, 2024), and 117-96 (Feb 28, 2024). Next up, Denver stays home to face the Miami Heat on Wednesday, while Sacramento will look to regroup against the Golden State Warriors. Read more about the game and player reactions on Sports Illustrated: 3 Key Takeaways From Nuggets’ Bounce-Back Win vs. Kings and follow the latest NBA news on the Associated Press NBA Hub.