DENVER — Nikola Jokic had 23 factors, 13 assists and 11 rebounds to become the profession assists chief among facilities, and the streaking Denver Nuggets beat the Orlando Magic 126-115 on Thursday evening.
Jokic, who has 13 triple-doubles this season, entered Thursday six assists behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who had 5,660. Jokic handed him with 6:26 left in the first half when he fed Jalen Pickett for a 3-pointer.
Jamal Murray scored 20 of his 32 factors in a game-turning second quarter for Denver, which won its sixth straight.
Paolo Banchero had 26 factors, 16 rebounds and 10 assists for his third profession triple-double and first since March 20, 2024.
The Magic, already lacking main scorer Franz Wagner because of a sprained left ankle, performed without Jalen Suggs, who sustained a left hip contusion in the NBA Cup semifinal loss to New York on Saturday evening.
Wendell Carter Jr. also scored 26 factors for Orlando.
Murray, who has never been named to an All-Star crew in his eight seasons, is averaging a career-best 25.2 factors this season and 28.1 in December, which consists of a 52-point recreation at Indiana two weeks in the past.
He made 5 of 6 3-point makes an attempt in the second quarter after the Nuggets fell behind by 14.
Denver had 33 whole factors halfway through the period and went on a 35-7 run in the last 6:26 of the half to flip a 47-33 deficit into a 68-54 halftime lead.
It was 81-60 a few minutes into the third quarter before Orlando rallied to cut it to 92-83. Cam Johnson, who completed with 14 factors and 11 rebounds, hit a 3-pointer out of a timeout that spurred another Nuggets surge.
The Magic got within 121-115 with 1:32 remaining, but Johnson hit a nook 3-pointer to seal it.
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