Nuggets snap Knicks' winning run at four behind Joker, MPJ masterclass

Nikola Jokic had 30 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 dimes for his 22nd triple-double of the season, while Michael Porter Jr. became Denver's new single-season franchise leader in three-pointers made as the defending champion Nuggets snapped the New York Knicks’ four-game winning run with a 113-100 home win. 

MPJ becomes the @nuggets single-season 3PM leader, while Joker tallies his 22nd 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

Jokic already tallied a 18-10-10 stat line by the end of the third quarter. The Nuggets improved to 39-6 win-loss slate when the Joker recorded a triple-double after three.

 While everyone was watching March Madness, Nikola Jokic was doing THIS 😱

🎥 @NBApic.twitter.com/M4u6p2aMDT

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) March 22, 2024

Porter Jr. added eight rebounds on a solid shooting night as he passed Dale Ellis with a 193 triples made this season alone. Jamal Murray poured 23 points, six rebounds, and four dimes.

That's a lot of Yeah Mikes 🗣 pic.twitter.com/Oo5VSOc5Ic

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) March 22, 2024

Jalen Brunson led the way for the Knicks with 26 markers with Isaiah Hartenstein and Alec Burks chipping in 20 and 18 respectively.

Trailing by a dozen, 88-76, to start the fourth, New York rode a 12-2 run with 8:19 left to cut the Nuggets lead to a single possession at 90-88 with Burks accounting for six points in that stretch.

 Burks' smooth scoop pulls the Knicks within 2 in Denver!

Knicks-Nuggets | Live on the NBA App
📲 https://t.co/Thu9toUSIY pic.twitter.com/sSagLJ4eKT

— NBA (@NBA) March 22, 2024

 Denver survived horrendous shooting beyond the arc, connecting on six triples out of 2-0 attempts, but managed to dominate the boards, 42-31, including a 9-4 edge in the offensive glass. New York are still without OG Anunoby (right elbow), Julius Randle (right shoulder) and Mitchell Robinson (left ankle).

The victory helped the Nuggets improve to 28-6 at home and 49-21 overall, just trailing by percentage with the OKC Thunder (48-20) for the top spot in the West.

On the other hand, New York (41-28) slid back to the fifth spot after the Magic’s (42-28) win over the Pelicans earlier.