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 Photograph/David Zalubowski)
DENVER— Michael Porter Jr. has the inexperienced mild to not solely shoot however go to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, each time he desires. His coach will even decide up the tab.
Porter has been on an offensive roll since his fast journey to Mexico for a little bit relaxation and leisure over the All-Star break.
The versatile Denver ahead had one other sensational taking pictures evening on his solution 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 move 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 offer him 193 for the season and break Dale Ellis’ single-season group 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 instructed 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 mentioned the explanation for his scoring wasn’t a lot the journey as tweaks he’s included into his recreation.
“However Cabo was an ideal break,” mentioned Porter, who attributed breaking the group’s 3-point mark to being wholesome and taking part in in a career-high 69 video games this season. “I wanted it for certain.”
Denver Nuggets middle Nikola Jokic, proper, heads down the court docket after gathering a free 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 Photograph/David Zalubowski)
Jokic completed with 30 factors, 14 rebounds and 11 assists because the reigning champion Nuggets improved to 13-2 for the reason that All-Star break and climbed inside share factors of first place within the Western Convention.
“We’re taking part in at a excessive stage,” Malone mentioned. “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 method each single evening.”
READ: NBA: Jokic scores 31, Nuggets prime Spurs in entrance of document crowd
Jamal Murray added 23 factors earlier than limping off the ground with just below a minute remaining after hurting his ankle. The Nuggets had been extremely centered 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 rapidly 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 successful 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,” mentioned Brunson, whose group completed 3-1 on their journey out West. “I believed we performed onerous. We simply didn’t get the job achieved.”
Donte DiVincenzo knocked down three 3-pointers to offer him 219, which is the second-most for a season in Knicks historical past. Evan Fournier set the group document with 241 in 2021-22.
Jokic almost 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 attempting to determine whether or not it’s finest to remove Jokic’s jumper or his court docket 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 move over his shoulder to the nook that arrange Porter for 3-pointer within the third quarter.
“He’s an MVP for a purpose,” Brunson mentioned.
The banged-up Knicks proceed to be with out OG Anunoby (proper elbow), Julius Randle (proper shoulder) and Mitchell Robinson (left ankle). Thibodeau mentioned 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’ll be able to management. … Simply maintain working at it. You by no means know when it turns. That’s the way in which we’ve got to method it.”
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NEXT NBA SCHEDULE
Knicks: Host Brooklyn on Saturday evening.
Nuggets: At Portland on Saturday evening.