Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets were able to erase a 13-point deficit against the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night. Denver dominated the second half and Jokic put the icing on the cake when he drilled a clutch three to seal the win.
That's cold 🥶 pic.twitter.com/KSxErrgkN5
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) January 24, 2024
Following his team's tough loss, Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle was asked about Jokic and his ability to make big plays like the abovementioned dagger.
"The two defining plays of the game were the three at the end of the first half and the three that put the game away," Carlisle told reporters after the game. "He's just more aggressive to look for those shots. There's just zero hesitation on him. We were up on a couple of them and hit them over us. Those are great players making great plays and we needed to make a few more shots."
Jokic finished the night with 31 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists. He punnished the Pacers in an efficient fashion, too, sinking 13 of his 19 attempts from the field.
Denver Nuggets champion Bruce Brown traded by Indiana Pacers
Tuesday's defeat at the hands of Jokic and the boys marked Indiana's third in as many games. As of now, they're winless since making a trade to land Pascal Siakam from the Toronto Raptors.
As part of the deal, former Nuggets guard Bruce Brown was sent to Toronto, along with a few draft picks.
Brown joined the Pacers last summer, signing a two-year $45 million contract in free agency. His departure from Denver didn't have any ill-will, as there's no way that the Nuggets would've been able to match that sort of offer.
All of the team's salary is tied up in the starting five, with Jokic, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, Michael Porter Jr., and Kentavious Caldwell Pope all making at least $14 million.