Nuggets fall to Anthony Davis-less Pelicans in worst loss of season

Death, taxes, and Julius Randle having his way with the Denver Nuggets.

The Pelicans’ bruising power forward always seems to dominate the Nuggets on the interior, no matter what jersey he’s wearing. Randle was up to his old tricks Saturday evening.

Randle finished with 28 points, 10 rebounds and four assists, as he imposed his will on Denver all night long. The Pelicans, without their All-Star big man Anthony Davis, topped the Nuggets 120-112 and handed Denver its second-straight loss and just its sixth defeat at home this season.

For Denver, Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray each finished with 20 points. Jokic got his in just 21 minutes as the Nuggets big man battled foul trouble all night. Jokic also finished with nine rebounds and sevens assists.

Paul Millsap added 16 points and seven rebounds.

Mason Plumlee was excellent filling in for Jokic. He finished with 14 points on a perfect 6-6 shooting, nine rebounds and three assists. In his sixth game back from an 11-month absence, Isaiah Thomas tallied 12 points (5-14 shooting) and zero assists off the Nuggets’ bench. He was a minus-four in his 16 minutes.

Denver’s opening night starting lineup began its first game together since Oct. 20 — the Nuggets’ second game of the regular season. To no one’s surprise, Denver opened the game on an 11-3 run.

That starting group should get more minutes together, as long as Jokic can avoid foul trouble, on Denver’s upcoming three-game road trip, which begins Monday in San Antonio.