NBA Recap: Jokic's Triple-Double Leads Nuggets Past Kings

Nikola Jokic's 20th triple-double of the season led the Denver Nuggets to a 132-123 win over the Sacramento Kings. Get the latest NBA roundup.

The Los Angeles Lakers delivered a resounding 117-96 victory over the defending champion Boston Celtics on Thursday, thanks to a dominant performance from LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The dynamic duo combined for 71 points, with James contributing 20 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists, while Davis added 24 points. Point guard Austin Reaves chipped in with 23 points, including four three-pointers.

The Lakers took charge of the game from the outset, outscoring the Celtics 34-23 in the first quarter and building a 19-point cushion by halftime. Boston's Kristaps Porzingis led the team with 22 points, while Jayson Tatum was limited to 16 points on 5-of-12 shooting from the field. The Lakers' lead ballooned to 28 points in the fourth quarter, allowing LeBron James to watch his son Bronny take the court for the closing minutes.

😎 pic.twitter.com/OgwR9yld9r

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) January 24, 2025

In other NBA action on Thursday, the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder suffered a surprise 121-115 defeat to the Dallas Mavericks. Despite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 31 points and Jalen Williams' 33 points, the Thunder fell short. The Mavericks' Spencer Dinwiddie scored 28 points, and Kyrie Irving added 24, to secure the win. The Lakers' victory improved their season record to 24-18, while the Celtics dropped to 31-14.

Nikola Jokic just dropped the SECOND-EVER 35/20/15 game in NBA history 😮

Wilt Chamberlain dropped the first one in 1968. pic.twitter.com/AOp9i013Zi

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 24, 2025

Nikola Jokic produced another breathtaking performance as the Denver Nuggets defeated the Sacramento Kings 132-123. Jokic secured his 20th triple-double of the season, finishing with 35 points, 22 rebounds, and 17 assists. The Serbian star also wowed the home crowd with an incredible three-pointer from the edge of the Denver arc, making it 110-85 at the end of the third quarter.

Nuggets coach Michael Malone praised Jokic's remarkable season, stating that it's the best of his career, surpassing his MVP campaigns in 2021, 2022, and 2024. “This is the best season he's ever had, and that's saying something,” Malone said of Jokic. “And he's not satisfied.” Jokic's incredible form has been a key factor in the Nuggets' success this season.

In another dominant performance, the Milwaukee Bucks extended their winning streak to five games with a 125-96 rout of the Miami Heat, who were without the suspended Jimmy Butler. Damian Lillard led the Bucks scorers with 29 points, including five three-pointers, while Giannis Antetokounmpo added 25 points. Gary Trent Jr. contributed 21 points off the bench, helping the Bucks improve to 25-17 and remain fourth in the Eastern Conference.

French star Victor Wembanyama made a triumphant homecoming in Paris, leading the San Antonio Spurs to a 140-110 victory over the Indiana Pacers. The 21-year-old center scored 30 points, taking control in a dominant third-quarter performance that saw the Spurs roar into a 23-point lead. Wembanyama, who was playing in the French league just a year and a half ago, was thrilled to perform in front of his home crowd. “That was one of the matches that was closest to my heart,” Wembanyama said. “And in terms of pure performance, it's in the top five. It means everything. It's crazy to have the public like that. Tonight was different. It's a different kind of support that the crowd brings, and we tried to use the circumstances to our advantage, and tonight was an easy night to use it to our advantage.”

In other games on Thursday, the Toronto Raptors edged the Atlanta Hawks 122-119 on the road, while the Portland Trail Blazers thumped the Orlando Magic 101-79 in Florida. The Golden State Warriors cruised past the Chicago Bulls 131-106 in California, and the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Washington Wizards 110-93.