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Kristaps Porzingis Crowns Nikola Jokic “Best Player” After Gritty Battle in Celtics-Nuggets Matchup

Published 01/19/2024, 10:50 PM EST

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USA Today via Reuters

The Boston Celtics‘ 27-game home win streak has come to an end after a narrow 102-100 defeat by the defending champions. It was a 20-0 home run by the Celtics and a 27-0 stretch when including games from the previous season. Nikola Jokic nearly achieved a triple-double with 34 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists.

Post-game, Porzingis, one of the most versatile big men in the NBA, ensured to give credit to Jokic. When questioned about Jokic’s caliber, Porzingis reiterated his previous sentiments, stating, “As I said before, he’s the best player in the world.”

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However, Porzingis didn’t stop at praising Nikola Jokic. With personal aspirations nothing short of an NBA championship, Kristaps had significant praise for the Denver Nuggets.

Meanwhile, Jamal Murray equally played a pivotal role, scoring 35 points, dishing out 5 assists, and grabbing 8 rebounds. Notably, for the Celtics, Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis, and Derrick White all surpassed the 20-point mark.

Denver is on the run to claim the second spot in the Western Conference. Currently, they are the third seed, behind the Minnesota Timberwolves and Oklahoma City Thunder. Interestingly, the top teams are aligned to match up in their next games. If the Wolves win it, Denver will be promoted to the second seed. If not, they will have a little bit longer to climb up the ladder.

Read More – Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray Brilliance Puts an End to Celtics’ Unbeaten Home Record

Entering the game, Boston held the best record in the NBA. Despite the loss, they still hold the mark behind a 32-10 season. However, some recurring issues in clutch situations were apparent from the roster. Furthermore, the team displayed yet another display of struggles in the third quarter. Only this time, they extended it to the final stretch, failing to make up for their shortcoming in the fourth as well.

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Nikola Jokic is having another monster year

Jokic has been delivering impressively this season. Currently, he is averaging 25.7 points and 11.9 rebounds per game. Interestingly, he is also tantalizingly close to achieving a triple-double on the season, with just 0.9 assists per game needed to reach that milestone. Furthermore, Jokic’s stellar stretch has remained consistent.

In the race for the MVP, he is in regular proximity to the top, contending for his third trophy in four years. Furthermore, recent NBA data reveals that he has garnered the second-most votes in the Western Conference, trailing only LeBron James. So far, Nikola Jokic has an impressive track record, making five straight All-Star Games.

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Watch This Story – Alperen Sengun Muffling Nikola Jokic and Co at Home Takes NBA World by Surprise

With that, when looking ahead, success can follow him along as the Denver Nuggets appear to be in their best form of the season.

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Written by:

Saahil Dhillan

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Edited by:

Vishav