{"id":202128,"date":"2026-02-21T12:48:05","date_gmt":"2026-02-21T10:48:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/?p=202128"},"modified":"2026-02-21T12:48:06","modified_gmt":"2026-02-21T10:48:06","slug":"denver-made-history-jokic-played-at-half-speed-as-the-nuggets-won-by-54-points-heres-the-record-they-broke","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/denver-made-history-jokic-played-at-half-speed-as-the-nuggets-won-by-54-points-heres-the-record-they-broke\/","title":{"rendered":"DENVER MADE HISTORY: Joki\u0107 Played at Half Speed as the Nuggets Won by 54 Points \u2014 Here\u2019s the Record They Broke!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Chinese center <strong>Yang Hansen<\/strong> said during All-Star Weekend that he wanted to kiss <strong>Nikola Joki\u0107<\/strong> if he met him \u2014 something that ultimately did not happen. A few days later, however, the Serbian star visited Hansen in Portland, where the two warmly greeted each other and spoke before the game. With relations already friendly and knowing he had an opponent who idolizes him, Joki\u0107 decided to showcase his full offensive arsenal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He delivered a basketball masterclass, dismantling the defense of the <strong>Portland Trail Blazers<\/strong> almost single-handedly. In fact, the game was practically decided by halftime \u2014 or even earlier \u2014 as Joki\u0107 scored 19 points in the first quarter and 24 by the break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He finished the game with 32 points (7\/11 two-pointers, 3\/4 three-pointers, 9\/11 free throws), nine rebounds, seven assists, and four steals in just 29 minutes, leading the <strong>Denver Nuggets<\/strong> to a dominant 157\u2013103 road victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-serbiantimes-info wp-block-embed-serbiantimes-info\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"1VKgQXmBzF\"><a href=\"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/rat-u-iranu-sve-izvesniji-ministarstvo-spoljnih-poslova-preporucilo-gradjanima-srbije-da-sto-pre-napuste-iran\/\">RAT U IRANU SVE IZVESNIJI: Ministarstvo spoljnih poslova preporu\u010dilo gra\u0111anima Srbije da \u0161to pre napuste Iran!<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#132;RAT U IRANU SVE IZVESNIJI: Ministarstvo spoljnih poslova preporu\u010dilo gra\u0111anima Srbije da \u0161to pre napuste Iran!&#147; &#8212; Serbiantimes.info\" src=\"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/rat-u-iranu-sve-izvesniji-ministarstvo-spoljnih-poslova-preporucilo-gradjanima-srbije-da-sto-pre-napuste-iran\/embed\/#?secret=lYgQlvbnSO#?secret=1VKgQXmBzF\" data-secret=\"1VKgQXmBzF\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Response After Difficult Games<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In the previous three games, the Serbian center had recorded 22 turnovers \u2014 the highest total across three consecutive games since entering the NBA. Combined with poor shooting during that stretch, Joki\u0107 clearly knew what needed improvement. Against Portland, he immediately demonstrated adjustments to his playstyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Recognizing that rookie center <strong>Donovan Clingan<\/strong> struggled to match him defensively, Joki\u0107 took on the role of primary scorer, delighting Nuggets fans. He played the entire first quarter without committing a single turnover while scoring from virtually every position on the court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He hit his first three attempts from beyond the arc, converted floaters, mid-range shots, and drives to the basket, scoring 19 points in the opening quarter alone and giving Denver a +14 lead. He also contributed defensively with multiple steals before heading to the bench for rest \u2014 as is often the case after playing the full opening period, this time with a bandaged wrist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Total Control Before Halftime<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Joki\u0107 returned with five minutes remaining in the first half. In classic fashion, after taking 12 shots in the first quarter, he attempted only one field goal in the second \u2014 an incredible off-balance bank shot through contact from two defenders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He reached halftime with 24 points, five rebounds, and four assists without a turnover, while Denver led by 29 points. <strong>Jamal Murray<\/strong> added 18 points, including five three-pointers, as the Nuggets scored 82 points \u2014 the second-highest first-half total in franchise history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Magic Passing and Historic Margin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Joki\u0107 shot sparingly in the third quarter but dazzled with playmaking, including a no-look assist to <strong>Julian Strawther<\/strong> and another pass threaded between the legs of <strong>Robert Williams III<\/strong> for easy points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Denver entered the final quarter with a massive 40-point lead, making Joki\u0107\u2019s return unnecessary. The rest also came at the perfect moment following a demanding stretch after his injury comeback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By the end of the night, the Nuggets had recorded:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>the <strong>largest road win in franchise history<\/strong>,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the <strong>most points scored by Denver away from home<\/strong>, and<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the <strong>highest single-game point total by any NBA team this season<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Supporting Cast Dominates<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Murray finished with 25 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Strawther and <strong>Tim Hardaway Jr.<\/strong> scored 19 each, while <strong>Christian Braun<\/strong> contributed 11 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For Portland, <strong>Jrue Holiday<\/strong> led with 19 points, <strong>Deni Avdija<\/strong> added 15 points, eight rebounds, and 13 assists, while Clingan also scored 15. <strong>Scoot Henderson<\/strong> and <strong>V\u00edt Krej\u010d\u00ed<\/strong> added 11 points each, and <strong>Toumani Camara<\/strong> finished with 10.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:#FFFFFF;color:#d21414\" class=\"has-inline-color\">MORE TOPICS:<\/mark><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/departure-of-a-serbian-genius-from-chicago-dr-ljubomir-djordjevic-the-scientist-who-invented-artificial-blood-has-passed-away\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">DEPARTURE OF A SERBIAN GENIUS FROM CHICAGO: Dr. Ljubomir Djordjevic, the scientist who invented artificial blood, has passed away!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/by-order-of-donald-trump-america-is-putting-pressure-on-nato-to-withdraw-its-army-from-kosovo-and-metohija\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">BY ORDER OF DONALD TRUMP: America is putting pressure on NATO to withdraw its army from Kosovo and Metohija!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/phoenix-at-the-crossroads-of-history-why-more-battles-were-fought-for-belgrade-than-for-any-other-city-in-the-world\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">PHOENIX AT THE CROSSROADS OF HISTORY: Why more battles were fought for Belgrade than for any other city in the world!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/masons-in-chicago-said-no-to-kosovo-the-serbian-masonic-lodge-fought-to-ensure-the-kosovo-lodge-does-not-receive-recognition\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">MASONS IN CHICAGO SAID \u201cNO\u201d TO KOSOVO: The Serbian masonic lodge fought to ensure the Kosovo lodge does not receive recognition!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/serbian-diplomats-prevented-a-scandal-in-vienna-kurtis-ambassador-wore-the-kla-symbol-immediately-sanctioned-by-the-un\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">SERBIAN DIPLOMATS PREVENTED A SCANDAL IN VIENNA: Kurti\u2019s ambassador wore the KLA symbol, immediately sanctioned by the UN!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><strong>Source<\/strong><\/strong>:<strong> <\/strong>Mozzartsport, <strong>Foto: <\/strong>IG\/nuggets<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chinese center Yang Hansen said during All-Star Weekend that he wanted to kiss Nikola Joki\u0107 if he met him \u2014 something that ultimately did not happen. A few days later, however, the Serbian star visited Hansen in Portland, where the two warmly greeted each other and spoke before the game. With relations already friendly and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2169,"featured_media":202129,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"newspack_featured_image_position":"","newspack_post_subtitle":"","newspack_article_summary_title":"Overview:","newspack_article_summary":"","newspack_hide_updated_date":false,"newspack_show_updated_date":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[2097,5293,2203,187,788,2205],"class_list":["post-202128","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sport","tag-denver-nagetsi","tag-joker","tag-mvp","tag-nba-liga","tag-pobeda","tag-rekord","entry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Serbiantimes.info EN","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/202128","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2169"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=202128"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/202128\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":202147,"href":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/202128\/revisions\/202147"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/202129"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=202128"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=202128"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=202128"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}