Nikola Jokic Leads Nuggets to 125-114 Victory Over Mavericks in NBA In-Season Tournament Opener

Jokic puts up 33 points, narrowly missing triple-double, and Denver maintains lead to end Dallas' undefeated streak in NBA's In-Season Tournament.

Nikola Jokic scored 33 points, made 14 rebounds, and dished out nine assists for the Nuggets. This near triple-double performance led the Nuggets to a 125-114 victory over the Mavericks.
Michael Porter Jr. contributed 24 points, and Jamal Murray notched 18 points and 13 assists for the Denver Nuggets, aiding their lead of up to 20 points in the third quarter.
Luka Doncic led the Mavericks with 34 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, and Kyrie Irving contributed 22 points. However, Dallas couldn't catch up after falling behind early in the game.
Jason Kidd, the head coach for the Mavericks, didn't attend the game due to a non-COVID illness. This may have affected Dallas' gameplay and strategy.
This game marked the opener for both the Nuggets and the Mavericks in the NBA's inaugural In-Season Tournament. The Nuggets' victory ends Dallas' undefeated streak in the competition.