Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, front left, strips the ball away from Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam, front right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Nikola Jokic had a career-best 19 assists, while adding 18 points and nine rebounds, Aaron Gordon scored 25 points and the Denver Nuggets defeated the Indiana Pacers 125-116 on Monday night.
Michael Porter Jr. had 19 points and 11 rebounds, Christian Braun added 17 points and Jamal Murray scored 16 for Denver.
Myles Turner led Indiana with 23 points. Tyrese Haliburton had 19 points and 15 assists, Pascal Siakam scored 19 points and Aaron Nesmith 17.
The Nuggets shot 56% and held a 46-32 rebounding edge.
The Nuggets led by as many as 13 before settling for a 64-58 lead at halftime. The Pacers had trimmed the lead to 56-55 off a fast break dunk by Obi Toppin with 2:43 left in the second quarter. Denver followed with a 6-0 run to regain control.
Denver made 8-of-21 3-pointers while the Pacers were 14 of 43 from 3-point range.
Pacers: Indiana saw its three-game winning streak come to an end. The Pacers shot 47% but had trouble stopping Denver’s inside game. Indiana’s largest lead was two points in the first quarter.
Key moment
After the Pacers narrowed the deficit to 115-108, Gordon hit a 19-foot jumper and then Christian Braun scored on a layup from an alley-oop pass from Jokic.
Key stat
The Nuggets held a 74-46 edge of points in the paint.
Up next
The Nuggets are at Milwaukee on Thursday. The Pacers host Toronto on Wednesday.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) works the ball against the defense of Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
Denver Nuggets forward Zeke Nnaji (22) reacts after scoring a 3-point basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) drives toward the basket while defended by Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin (00) drives toward the basket while defended by Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, right, and Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin (00) reach for the ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (32) attempts to shoot while being defended by Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) is defended by Indiana Pacers guards Ben Sheppard (26) and Tyrese Haliburton (0) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
Indiana Pacers forward Obi Toppin (1) tumbles over Denver Nuggets forward Zeke Nnaji, back, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin (00) reaches for the ball while defended by Denver Nuggets center DeAndre Jordan (6) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) looks to shoot over Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
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