Jokic scores season-high 34 points to lead the Nuggets past the Kings, 130-124

Byline: Michael Kelly

Jokic scores season-high 34 points to lead the Nuggets past the Kings, 130-124 | iNFOnews.ca
Sacramento Kings guard Russell Westbrook, right, looks to pass the ball as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, front left, and guard Tim Hardaway Jr. defend in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

DENVER (AP) — Nikola Jokic scored a season-high 34 points and had 14 assists, Aaron Gordon added 20 points and the Denver Nuggets never trailed in a 130-124 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Monday night.

Jokic, who opened the season with four straight triple-doubles, grabbed a season-low four rebounds but has recorded at least a double-double in the first six games.

The Nuggets have won six straight against Sacramento dating to the 2023-24 season.

Russell Westbrook had 26 points and 12 rebounds, both season highs, against his former team. Seven Sacramento players scored in double figures, but Zach LaVine, who entered Monday averaging 29.5 points, finished with a season-low 15 on just 4-of-11 shooting.

Westbrook received a warm ovation from the crowd when he was recognized at the first timeout of the game. Westbrook averaged 13.3 points in 75 games in 2024-25, his only season with Denver, and 11.7 points during the playoffs.

Nuggets coach David Adelman praised Westbrook’s play during the postseason, saying before the game that Denver would not have beaten the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round without the 18-year veteran.

Jokic scored 15 points in the opening quarter, when the Nuggets led by as many as 12. He was on the bench to start the fourth quarter and Sacramento pulled within 110-104. Jokic returned and hit a 3-pointer, fed Bruce Brown for a corner 3-pointer and made two layups.

He helped seal the win with a steal and a layup that pushed the lead to 130-117 with 2:37 left.

Christian Braun scored a season-high 21 points in a bounce-back game for the fourth-year pro. Braun had five points and four turnovers in Friday’s loss at Portland.

Up next

Kings: Host Golden State on Wednesday night.

Nuggets: Continue their four-game homestand against Miami on Wednesday night.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Jokic scores season-high 34 points to lead the Nuggets past the Kings, 130-124 | iNFOnews.ca
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, front, looks to pass the ball as Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis, back left, and guard DeMar DeRozan defend in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Jokic scores season-high 34 points to lead the Nuggets past the Kings, 130-124 | iNFOnews.ca
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon, right, battles for position with Sacramento Kings guard Nique Clifford in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Jokic scores season-high 34 points to lead the Nuggets past the Kings, 130-124 | iNFOnews.ca
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, looks to pass the ball as Sacramento Kings forward Drew Eubanks defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Jokic scores season-high 34 points to lead the Nuggets past the Kings, 130-124 | iNFOnews.ca
Sacramento Kings guard Nique Clifford gestures after drawing a foul on Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

The Associated Press

Michael Kelly

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

Related Articles