Isaiah Thomas sparks Nuggets past Kings as Denver heads into the All-Star break on a high note

As Isaiah Thomas walked to the scorer’s table, the Pepsi Center faithful began to rise. One by one they welcomed Thomas to the game and his first competitive basketball in 11 months with a standing ovation, an appropriate gesture for the two-time All-Star.

Thomas’ long-awaited Nuggets debut was a smashing success.

After a productive first-quarter stint, Thomas sparked Denver after halftime and helped Denver outscore Sacramento 35-22 in the third period. Thomas had eight points in the period. Every one of his baskets sent the Nuggets’ home crowd into a frenzy.

Denver trailed 41-30 after the first quarter, opting to keep its defense at home Wednesday night and were behind by 11 at the break. Behind Thomas, who only needed three third-quarter minutes for his eight points, the Nuggets opened up a two-point advantage after three quarters of action and held off the Kings down the stretch to win 120-118.

The clincher: a Monte Morris, Nikola Jokic pick-and-roll that ended in a Jokic game-winning tip-in with 0.8 seconds remaining.

Jokic registered his 12th triple-double of the season, tying Michael Jordan with 28 career triple-doubles. He finished with 20 points, 18 rebounds and 11 assists.

Paul Millsap had an impressive outing too, finishing with 25 points on an efficient 10-16 shooting to go with 13 rebounds. Malik Beasley added 21 points before he was ejected after a second technical foul in the second half. Will Barton (13 points), Monte Morris (10 points) and Jamal Murray (10) points, also reached double-figures.

Buddy Hield led the Kings with 20 points.