Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) brings the ball up court against Charlotte Hornets guard KJ Simpson during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Nicola Jokic had 28 points, 17 assists and 13 rebounds for his 22nd triple-double of the season to help the Denver Nuggets beat the Charlotte Hornets 107-104 on Saturday night.
Christian Braun added 24 points and 11 rebounds, Jamal Murray scored 20 points and Michael Porter Jr. had 15 points and 10 rebounds. The Nuggets were coming off a 137-134 victory in Philadelphia on Friday night.
Miles Bridges had 24 points and 12 rebounds for Charlotte, and Mark Williams had 20 points and 15 rebounds. The Hornets have lost four straight.
Charlotte trailed by 17 in the first half and took its first lead at 104-100 with 51 seconds left on Bridges' consecutive baskets.
Takeaways
Nuggets: Russell Westbrook (hamstring strain) did not play after leaving a game at Philadelphia early in the fourth. Denver’s bench had two points at halftime.
Hornets: Lamelo Ball missed his third straight game because of sprained left ankle. … Hornets guard Vasilije Micic went down with a non-contact left-ankle injury early in the second half. He was helped from the floor and did not return.
Key moment
The Hornets lost a challenge on Josh Green' foul on Jokic's rebound with a 104-103 lead and 41 seconds to play. Jokic’s foul shots put Denver ahead, and Murray’s basket made it 107-104. Murray pressured Smith’s 3-point miss on the game’s last play.
Up next
Both teams are back in action Monday night. Denver hosts New Orleans, and Charlotte hosts Washington.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) pleads with referee Brent Barnaky during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) and forward Aaron Gordon (32) argue with referee Brent Barnaky during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (32) posts up against Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun drives to the basket against Charlotte Hornets guard Nick Smith Jr. during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone argues a call during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Charlotte Hornets guard Vasa Micic lies on the court after been injured during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic argues a call as he runs the court during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) looks to pass against Charlotte Hornets forward Moussa Diabate during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Charlotte Hornets guard KJ Simpson (25) looks to shoot against Denver Nuggets forward Zeke Nnaji, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
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