Jokic has another triple-double as Nuggets hold off Kings 130-129

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Jamal Murray made a 16-foot jumper with 8.6 seconds remaining and the Denver Nuggets held off the Sacramento Kings 130-129 on Monday night.

Nikola Jokic had his NBA-leading 10th triple-double with 20 points, 14 rebounds and 13 assists as the Nuggets ended Sacramento’s three-game winning streak. Murray scored 28 points, while Russell Westbrook had 18 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists.

The teams exchanged leads seven times over the final 75 seconds, with Murray nailing the game-winner 10 seconds after DeMar DeRozan put the Kings (13-14) in front with a baseline dunk.

Domantas Sabonis had 28 points, 14 rebounds and six assists for the Kings. De’Aaron Fox added 29 points and seven assists. Malik Monk scored 25.

Takeaways

Nuggets: Westbrook has been a critical player for Denver. The nine-time All-Star has spent most of the season coming off the bench, but has made several effective spot starts at multiple positions — as he did Monday when he filled in for injured Christian Braun.

Kings: Mike Brown’s squad showed good energy coming back to make things close after beginning the game flat on both ends of the floor. Denver was the more physical team most of the night, although the Kings played significantly better in the second half before coming up short.

Key stat

Denver scored 76 points in the paint, 33 more than Sacramento had been allowing this season.

Up next

Nuggets: Face the Trail Blazers in Portland on Thursday.

Kings: Host the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

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