The Denver Nuggets beat the Milwaukee Bucks 134-123 on Thursday in Milwaukee. The Nuggets shot a scorching 55.3 percent from the field and will go into the All-Star break on a high note.
Here’s how each player performed.
Nikola Jokic (A+) — The Joker slapped up the fastest triple-double in NBA history, doing so in 14 minutes and 33 seconds of floor time. He had 16 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists in the first half alone. His final line: 30 points (11-14 FG), 15 rebounds and 17 assists. He dominated from start to finish. It was unbelievable performance from a guy who’s a couple days away from turning 23.
Gary Harris (A) — Jokic couldn’t have racked up all those assists if his teammates weren’t making shots. Harris went 10-18 on field goals and 5-7 on threes. He came out of the gates scorching. He scored 14 of his 28 points in the first half. He played his typical efficient brand of basketball, sprinkling in some nice finishes at the rim with his threes.
Jamal Murray (A) — Murray, like Harris, also drilled five three-pointers. They combined to hit 10 of Denver’s 24 deep balls, which tied the franchise record for threes made in a game and was one away from the Cleveland Cavaliers’ all-time NBA record. Four of Murray’s treys came in a 17-point third quarter. Denver’s second-year point guard can heat up in a hurry. He scored 26 overall.
Will Barton (A-) — Barton was responsible for 13 of Denver’s 35 first-quarter points. He cooled off after that but still managed to score 19 points, grab seven rebounds and distribute five assists. Barton hit 4-7 threes and all five free-throw attempts. He’s been excellent since Nuggets coach Michael Malone relieved him of his backup point guard duties.
Trey Lyles (B+) — Lyles seems to fill it up every night in a reserve role. Thursday, he came off the bench and contributed 12 points in 17 minutes. The third-year forward enters the All-Star break averaging 11.1 points. He’s shooting 49.9 percent on field goals and 40.0 percent on threes. He’s been huge for Denver in Paul Millsap’s absence.
Wilson Chandler (B+) — One of the surest signs that Chandler is a different player since last week’s trade deadline: In the third quarter of Thursday’s game, he vehemently argued what he believed to be a missed foul call. That never would’ve happened a month ago. He played another solid all-around game, scoring 11 points and grabbing four rebounds.
Devin Harris (B-) — Harris nearly made the play of the game when he drove inside and almost dunked over Giannis Antetokounmpo.
He overshot it by a hair. Harris wound up with six points in 19 minutes. He hit a pair of threes.
Darrell Arthur (C+) — Arthur continues to get those backup center minutes. He relieved Jokic near the end of the first and third quarters. Arthur attempted only one shot in 12 minutes.
