Jokić Makes History With 19 Assists as Nuggets Defeat Pacers 125-116/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Nikola Jokić recorded a career-high 19 assists to lead the Denver Nuggets to a 125-116 win over the Indiana Pacers Monday night. His playmaking feat marks the most assists by a center since Wilt Chamberlain in 1968. Despite narrowly missing a triple-double, Jokić’s performance helped Denver improve to 38-20 on the season.
Nuggets vs. Pacers: Quick Looks
- Nikola Jokić tallies career-high 19 assists, just missing a triple-double with 18 points and 9 rebounds
- Jokić becomes the first center since Wilt Chamberlain (1968) to record 19 assists in a game
- Jokić and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar are the only centers in NBA history with over 5,000 career assists
- Aaron Gordon leads Denver with 25 points; Michael Porter Jr. posts 19 points and 11 rebounds
- Nuggets shoot an impressive 56% from the field, with all five starters scoring in double figures
- Tyrese Haliburton records 19 points and 15 assists for Indiana; Myles Turner leads Pacers with 23 points
- Denver improves to 38-20, holding second place in the Western Conference standings
- Nuggets face Milwaukee Bucks next; Pacers drop to 32-24 with the loss
Jokić Makes History With 19 Assists as Nuggets Defeat Pacers 125-116
Deep Look
INDIANAPOLIS — Nikola Jokić delivered a historic playmaking performance Monday night, dropping a career-high 19 assists to propel the Denver Nuggets to a 125-116 win over the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Jokić’s assist total surpassed his previous personal best of 18 and marked the highest assist count by a center since Wilt Chamberlain in 1968. He now trails only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in all-time assists among centers, both having eclipsed the 5,000-assist milestone.
“It’s about finding the open man and making the right play,” Jokić said postgame. “If my teammates are hitting shots, it makes my job easy.”
Jokić’s All-Around Impact
While Jokić fell just shy of a triple-double, his stat line was stellar:
- 18 points (9-of-14 shooting)
- 9 rebounds
- 19 assists
He orchestrated Denver’s offense with precision, capping his assist tally with a screen-and-roll pass to Michael Porter Jr., who finished the play with a dunk that sealed the victory.
“He sees things before they happen,” Porter Jr. said of Jokić’s vision. “Playing with him is like playing with a cheat code.”
Balanced Scoring Lifts Denver
The Nuggets’ win was fueled by balanced scoring:
- Aaron Gordon: 25 points (team-high)
- Michael Porter Jr.: 19 points, 11 rebounds
- Jamal Murray and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: Double-digit scoring efforts
Denver’s starting five all scored in double figures, with the team shooting 56.2% from the field.
Pacers Fall Despite Strong Effort
The Indiana Pacers kept pace for most of the game but couldn’t overcome Jokić’s playmaking mastery. Key performances included:
- Myles Turner: 23 points
- Tyrese Haliburton: 19 points, 15 assists
- Pascal Siakam: 19 points, 9 rebounds
“We couldn’t slow down Jokić,” Turner said. “His passing changes everything.”
The Pacers, now 32-24, will need to regroup as the playoff race tightens.
Nuggets Eye Playoff Push
With the win, the Nuggets improved to 38-20, maintaining second place in the Western Conference. They remain nearly 10 games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder in the standings.
“We’re hitting our stride at the right time,” said Nuggets coach Michael Malone. “Nikola sets the tone, and tonight was a perfect example.”
The Nuggets next face the Milwaukee Bucks in a marquee matchup.
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