Denver Nuggets Take Down Pelicans Behind Another Jokic Triple Double 125-118
In the heart of the Big Easy, the Denver Nuggets wrote another chapter in their season’s narrative, walking out of the Smoothie King Center with a hard-fought 125-118 victory over a desperate New Orleans Pelicans squad. It was a night of career highs and classic performances, a contest that felt more like a street fight in a phone booth than a dance on the hardwood.
The final score tells a simple story, but the game itself was a complex tapestry of runs, grit, and the sheer will of superstars. For the Nuggets, it was a tale of two heroes: the ever-brilliant Nikola Jokic and the explosive, unexpected eruption of Peyton Watson. For the Pelicans, it was a story of heartbreak, another tally in a losing streak that now stretches to a painful seven games, despite a valiant effort from a rookie with the heart of a lion.
A Tale of Two Halves for the Nuggets
The game didn’t start the way the Nuggets drew it up. The Pelicans, fueled by the energy of their home crowd and the return of Zion Williamson, came out swinging. They raced to a 13-point lead in the first quarter, with a Herb Jones three-pointer making it 23-10 and sending a jolt through the arena. New Orleans looked faster, hungrier, and for a moment, it seemed like they might just run the former champs right out of the building.
But this Nuggets team has a championship pedigree for a reason. They don’t panic. They absorb the punch and wait for their moment. That moment came late in the second quarter. Trailing for most of the half, Denver found its rhythm. The comeback culminated with a clutch three from Peyton Watson, giving the Nuggets a 51-49 lead with just over three minutes left before halftime. They would never trail again.
That shot was the spark, but the inferno came after the break. Watson, playing with a confidence that belied his years, transformed into an unstoppable force. He poured in 11 points in the first six minutes of the third quarter, single-handedly stretching a tight 62-58 halftime lead into a comfortable 81-70 advantage. The Pelicans’ early momentum was a distant memory, replaced by the relentless efficiency of the Denver machine.
Jokic and Watson Deliver the Knockout Blow
Just as the Pelicans were reeling from Watson’s barrage, Nikola Jokic decided it was his turn. The Joker, who had been quietly orchestrating the offense all night, took over. A putback layup here, a silky 7-foot jumper there, and then the dagger—a three-pointer that ballooned the lead to 93-76. The game, for all intents and purposes, was broken open. Jokic finished his night’s work with another casual masterpiece: 28 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists, another triple-double for the best player on the planet.
But the night truly belonged to Peyton Watson. The young forward was nothing short of sensational, pouring in a career-high 32 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. He was a whirlwind of energy on both ends of the court, a blur of motion that the Pelicans simply had no answer for. It was a breakout performance, a declaration that the Nuggets’ depth is as dangerous as ever.
Pelicans’ Bright Spots in a Dark Time
Despite the loss, the Pelicans can hold their heads high about the performance of rookie Derik Queen. The young big man went toe-to-toe with Jokic and didn’t just survive; he thrived. Queen posted a season-high 30 points and nine rebounds, fearlessly attacking the paint and even managing to frustrate Jokic into nine turnovers and an eventual foul-out with under three minutes to play. It was a glimpse of a very bright future.
Zion Williamson‘s return from a hamstring injury was another positive. Though he looked rusty at times, he contributed 14 points in 29 minutes, his presence alone a welcome sight for a team that desperately needs its stars. Trey Murphy III added a solid 23 points, and the ever-consistent Jeremiah Fears chipped in with 16.
In the end, though, it wasn’t enough. The Pelicans clawed back to make the final score respectable after Jokic fouled out, but the damage was done. The Nuggets had weathered the early storm and, led by the one-two punch of their superstar center and a rising star, delivered a decisive blow that sent the New Orleans faithful home with another loss, left to wonder when their fortunes would finally turn.
