26 points, 18 rebounds, 15 assists!

Highly anticipated after the defeat in Philadelphia and against Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic responded with a masterclass against the Pelicans: 26 points, 18 rebounds, 15 assists and victory.

For the box score of this duel between Nuggets and Pelicans, it’s right here.

Big favorite for the title of MVP 2023, Nikola Jokic took a hit in the gums this week by being largely dominated by Joel Embiid, one of his main competitors. In the minds of some fans, and perhaps even some voters, this face-off won hands down by Embiid redistributed the cards in the race for the MVP. Inevitably, we therefore expected an answer from the Joker and this one did not disappoint us this night against the Pelicans with a new high-flying performance and some delights for the eyes.

Jokic handle for the and-one 🤯

🃏: 11 PTS, 8 REB, 6 AST on TNT pic.twitter.com/DsrB2wDwGp

— NBA (@NBA) February 1, 2023

Let’s repeat the numbers: 26 points, 18 rebounds, 15 assists, 71% shooting, it’s just rubbish but it looks like a normal day’s work for the Serb these days. Facing Pelicans who didn’t give up from start to finish, Niko responded present, with in particular a perfectly managed money time, between scoring, perfect passes for the friends and some precious secure rebounds while NOLA pushed hard to come back.

Jokic tonight:

26 PTS
18 REBs
15 ASTs
10-14 FG

His 20th triple-double on 70+ FG%, the most by any player in the last 40 seasons. pic.twitter.com/1843CLCwSo

— StatMuse (@statmuse) February 1, 2023

Next to him are a great Jamal Murray (32 points at 7/12 from the parking lot), lethal to the shoot (he became the second all-time in the ranking of 3-points scored by a Nugget) and him as well clutch to lock the win in the last minutes. The leader confirms once again that he is getting closer and closer to his best level and he again recalled in a post-match interview that he felt in top form and that his men were aiming for the title and nothing else. With leaders who come out with these kinds of matches, it is immediately easier to believe in them.

Nikola Jokic took out the boss game and the Nuggets are still going strong in the Rockies. The Pelicans continue their fall. Ninth loss in a row for Willie Green’s proteges…