Denver Nuggets ahead Michael Porter Jr. (1) drives to the basket as New York Knicks guard Miles McBride defends (2) within the second half of an NBA basketball recreation Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Denver. (AP Picture/David Zalubowski)
DENVER— Michael Porter Jr. has the inexperienced gentle to not solely shoot however go to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, at any time when he desires. His coach will even decide up the tab.
Porter has been on an offensive roll since his fast journey to Mexico for somewhat relaxation and rest over the All-Star break.
The versatile Denver ahead had one other sensational taking pictures evening on his approach to 31 factors, Nikola Jokic notched his twenty second triple-double of the NBA season and the Nuggets held off the New York Knicks for a 113-100 win Thursday evening.
READ: NBA: Jokic, Nuggets maintain off shorthanded Timberwolves
Porter was 13 of 16 from the sphere — together with a go to himself off the glass for a dunk — and a couple of of two from the free-throw line. Porter additionally had three 3-pointers to provide him 193 for the season and break Dale Ellis’ single-season crew mark of 192 set in 1996-97.
MPJ turns into the @nuggets single-season 3PM chief, whereas Joker tallies his twenty second triple-double of the season in Denver’s win over the Knicks! 🏔️
Porter Jr.: 31 PTS (13-16 FGM), 3 3PM, 8 REB
Jokic: 30 PTS, 14 REB, 11 AST pic.twitter.com/i8uV8B0YO5— NBA (@NBA) March 22, 2024
“I advised him simply now, ‘Go to Cabo everytime you need. I’ll pay for it,’” Nuggets coach Michael Malone cracked.
The time within the solar was enjoyable, however Porter stated the rationale for his scoring wasn’t a lot the journey as tweaks he’s integrated into his recreation.
“However Cabo was a terrific break,” stated Porter, who attributed breaking the crew’s 3-point mark to being wholesome and enjoying in a career-high 69 video games this season. “I wanted it for positive.”
Denver Nuggets heart Nikola Jokic, proper, heads down the courtroom after accumulating a unfastened ball as New York Knicks ahead Valuable Achiuwa (5) defends within the second half of an NBA basketball recreation Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Denver. (AP Picture/David Zalubowski)
Jokic completed with 30 factors, 14 rebounds and 11 assists because the reigning champion Nuggets improved to 13-2 because the All-Star break and climbed inside proportion factors of first place within the Western Convention.
“We’re enjoying at a excessive degree,” Malone stated. “The problem is with 12 (video games) to go can we proceed to maintain this up and keep wholesome whereas doing so? Our gamers deserve a lot credit score for his or her mindset and strategy each single evening.”
READ: NBA: Jokic scores 31, Nuggets high Spurs in entrance of file crowd
Jamal Murray added 23 factors earlier than limping off the ground with slightly below a minute remaining after hurting his ankle. The Nuggets had been extremely targeted for this recreation following a 38-point loss to the Knicks on Jan 25 at Madison Sq. Backyard, Denver’s most lopsided lack of the season.
Denver led by 12 heading into the fourth quarter, however the Knicks trimmed it to 90-88 with 8:19 remaining. The Nuggets shortly inserted the starters and put the brakes on the comeback bid.
Jalen Brunson scored 26 factors and Isaiah Hartenstein had 20 for the Knicks, whose four-game profitable streak got here to a halt. New York’s reserves outscored Denver’s bench by a 30-13 margin.
“They simply made a pair extra performs than us tonight,” stated Brunson, whose crew completed 3-1 on their journey out West. “I believed we performed exhausting. We simply didn’t get the job accomplished.”
Donte DiVincenzo knocked down three 3-pointers to provide him 219, which is the second-most for a season in Knicks historical past. Evan Fournier set the crew file with 241 in 2021-22.
Jokic practically had a triple-double by halftime with 16 factors, 9 rebounds and 10 assists. Earlier than the sport, Knicks coach Coach Tom Thibodeau heaped reward on the two-time NBA MVP. Thibodeau, together with the remainder of the league, is making an attempt to determine whether or not it’s greatest to remove Jokic’s jumper or his courtroom imaginative and prescient.
Nobody has a solution.
Jokic had a shot within the fourth quarter hit off the highest of the backboard and go in. He additionally winged a go over his shoulder to the nook that arrange Porter for 3-pointer within the third quarter.
“He’s an MVP for a motive,” Brunson stated.
The banged-up Knicks proceed to be with out OG Anunoby (proper elbow), Julius Randle (proper shoulder) and Mitchell Robinson (left ankle). Thibodeau stated earlier than the sport that Anunoby stays day-to-day. Requested if he was involved the clock was beginning to run out to get Randle wholesome, Thibodeau responded: “Management what you possibly can management. … Simply hold working at it. You by no means know when it turns. That’s the way in which we now have to strategy it.”
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NEXT NBA SCHEDULE
Knicks: Host Brooklyn on Saturday evening.
Nuggets: At Portland on Saturday evening.