TORONTO — In an exhilarating matchup on Monday night, Nikola Jokic showcased his talent by scoring seven out of his 40 points during overtime, leading the Denver Nuggets to a thrilling 127-125 victory over the Toronto Raptors despite facing a 15-point deficit at one point in the game.
Jamal Murray, a notable Canadian player, played a crucial role in bringing the game into overtime, executing a reverse layup with less than a second left on the clock during regulation time.
In addition to his scoring prowess, Jokic contributed with 10 rebounds, while Aaron Gordon added solid support with 16 points and 11 boards. The Nuggets not only celebrated their first win of the season but also extended their winning streak against the Raptors to four games.
On the Raptors’ side, RJ Barrett faced some late-game pressure, missing a critical three-point attempt in the closing seconds of overtime, and both Ochai Agbaji and Jakob Poeltl couldn’t capitalize on his miss for a tip-in.
Scottie Barnes had a strong performance for Toronto, recording 21 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists. However, his night ended prematurely after taking an elbow to the right eye with less than a minute remaining in the fourth quarter, leading to him being helped off the court.
Barrett made his season debut after previously missing three games due to a sprained right shoulder, finishing with 20 points. Poeltl also stood out with 16 points while achieving a career-high 19 rebounds.
Points of interest included Gordon’s eight assists and Murray’s seven, highlighting their contributions beyond just scoring.
A notable moment from the match occurred when Barnes reacted to a hard foul from Russell Westbrook while driving toward the basket in the fourth quarter. Tensions peaked as both players exchanged words, and after some physical shoving between Barnes and Gordon ensued, Westbrook was assessed a flagrant foul while Barnes and Gordon received offsetting technical fouls.
In terms of playing time, Jokic logged an impressive 44 minutes on the floor, showcasing his stamina and importance to the team’s success.
Looking ahead, the Nuggets are set to visit Brooklyn on Tuesday, while the Raptors will head to Charlotte on Wednesday.