LOS ANGELES (AFP) — Nikola Jokic scored a 25-point triple double as the Denver Nuggets handed new Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers a 113-107 defeat in his first game in charge.
The heavyweight showdown between the reigning National Basketball Association champions and the 2021 champion Bucks did not disappoint, with two-time Most Valuable Player Jokic dominating at both ends of the floor.
The Serbian star finished with 25 points, 16 rebounds and 12 assists to seal his 14th triple double of the season while making three steals and two blocks.
He was given scoring support from Jamal Murray, who led with a game-high 35 points.
The Bucks, who appointed Rivers last week following the shock sacking of Adrian Griffin, were led by 29 points from Giannis Antetokounmpo while Damian Lillard finished with 18 points.
Despite the loss, Rivers was encouraged by Milwaukee’s performance.
“Overall, I was very happy,” Rivers said.
“That fight is there. That’s something really encouraging moving forward.”
In the top-of-the-table clash in the Western Conference, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 37-point display was in vain as the Oklahoma City Thunder fell, 107-101, to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The two sides went into Monday’s game with identical 32-14 records having spent most of the season battling it out for first place in the West.
That sense of rivalry was on full display in a game that swung back and forth with 24 lead changes before Minnesota pulled away in the closing stages, outscoring the Thunder 34-24 in the fourth quarter.
