In a thrilling matchup on Monday night, the Denver Nuggets triumphed over the Sacramento Kings with a score of 130-124, continuing their dominance over Sacramento with a sixth consecutive victory. Nikola Jokic led the charge for the Nuggets, scoring a season-high 34 points and dishing out 14 assists, even though he recorded just four rebounds—his lowest of the season. Remarkably, Jokic has maintained a double-double average in all six games played so far.
The game showcased a dynamic performance from Aaron Gordon, who contributed 20 points, while Russell Westbrook made a notable impact against his former team, posting season highs of 26 points and 12 rebounds. Despite the strong offensive effort, the Kings struggled with the scoring from their star player, Zach LaVine, who finished with just 15 points after averaging 29.5.
A notable moment for Westbrook came during the first timeout of the game, where he received a warm ovation from the crowd—a reflection of his time spent with the Nuggets the previous season, where he averaged 13.3 points over 75 games, playing a crucial role in the playoffs.
Jokic’s early surge, including 15 points in the first quarter, set the tone for the Nuggets, who maintained a lead that grew to as much as 12. As the Kings mounted a comeback and closed the gap, Jokic returned to the game and swiftly helped secure the victory with a crucial 3-pointer, as well as assists and key plays that expanded Denver’s lead again.
Christian Braun also shone for the Nuggets, scoring a season-high 21 points in a bounce-back performance after a recent slump.
Looking ahead, the Kings will host the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday, while the Nuggets will continue their four-game homestand against the Miami Heat on the same night. The Nuggets’ strong start and consistent performances from their stars bode well for their ambitions this season, providing an optimistic outlook for the team as they look to build on their success.