Jokic Reaches 200th Triple-Double in Denver Win

Nikola Jokic recorded his 200th career triple-double as the Denver Nuggets defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 104-91 on Wednesday night. The win in New Orleans marked a return to form for Denver after a rough home stretch, with the team relying on size and perimeter shooting to secure the result.

The Nuggets began their 2026-27 season with mixed results, including a dramatic comeback against the Pelicans on Saturday. That game featured a fourth-quarter run by a large frontcourt unit that turned the tide. Coach David Adelman used that experience as a template for Wednesday's matchup. He placed Trevon Brazile in the starting lineup at the three position for the first time in his career.

The adjustment paid off immediately. Denver started the game with a 27-13 run, powered by an eight-minute sequence where Brazile, Aaron Gordon, and Jokic played together in the frontcourt. This grouping outscored the Pelicans significantly in the opening minutes. Adelman noted that Brazile provided necessary size against New Orleans' lineup, a matchup he had previously deemed unfair for the rookie.

Brazile, a second-round pick, played 31 minutes in his fourth career game. He finished with 11 points, eight rebounds, one steal, and one block. His presence allowed Gordon to operate effectively on the floor, and the two power forwards helped control the paint. The Nuggets also experimented with double bigs, putting Jokic and Marvin Bagley III on the court together for the first time this season. That pairing contributed to an early 8-2 run that ended the first quarter.

Jokic's performance included 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists, along with seven turnovers. The stats placed him in exclusive company in NBA history. He is now the only player alongside Russell Westbrook to reach 200 career triple-doubles. Westbrook achieved this milestone in a road win against Memphis two years ago. Jokic is now nine triple-doubles away from tying Westbrook's all-time record.

Despite the statistical milestone, the team faced challenges from the three-point line. The Nuggets shot 32.8 percent from deep over their first four games. A lineup change late in the third quarter, which included Jokic, Tyus Jones, Christian Braun, DeMar DeRozan, and Bagley, led to a scoring drought. The Pelicans capitalized on the stall, cutting their deficit from 13 points to 6 points with a 9-0 run.

The Nuggets regained their lead in the fourth quarter. Gordon hit a corner three to extend Denver's advantage to 88-80. Christian Braun followed with three late three-pointers, helping the team pull away from the Pelicans. The final score reflected the team's ability to adjust and finish strong despite earlier struggles.

Jamal Murray led the Nuggets in scoring with 23 points. He was 5-for-11 from three-point range in the game. His shooting provided a stabilizing presence for the team, which has struggled with perimeter offense as a whole. The rest of the roster combined for a 28.2 percent three-point percentage in the contest.

Four rotation players sat out Wednesday's game. Cam Johnson, dealing with a right ankle injury, was ruled out less than an hour before tip-off. Spencer Jones, who has a hamstring injury, also missed the action. Their absences left the team short on shooting guards. The Nuggets will look to bring both players back for their next game against the Phoenix Suns on Friday.

The win improved Denver's record and provided a blueprint for future matchups against teams with similar physical profiles. Adelman's decision to start Brazile and utilize size proved effective against New Orleans. The team will now prepare for a trip to Arizona, aiming to maintain the momentum from their New Orleans victory.