Key Takeaways:
- Nikola Jokic led Denver with a season-high 34 points and 14 assists in the 130-124 triumph over Sacramento
- Denver never relinquished the lead and has now recorded six consecutive victories over the Kings since the 2023-24 campaign
- Christian Braun delivered a season-best 21 points following a challenging outing against Portland last Friday
Jokic Sets the Tone in Denver’s Dominant Display
Nikola Jokic delivered an outstanding all-court performance, posting a season-high 34 points and supplying 14 assists as the Denver Nuggets claimed a 130-124 win at home over the Sacramento Kings on Monday night. Jokic, who began the season by recording four successive triple-doubles, had a season-low four rebounds but nonetheless maintained his streak of achieving at least a double-double in all six games to start the season.
Got it done #MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/ZOYMTu6ZTR
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) November 4, 2025
Aaron Gordon contributed 20 points for Denver, who never trailed throughout the contest. The Nuggets built momentum early, with Jokic tallying 15 points in the opening quarter, and stretched their lead to as much as 12 points during that stretch. Sacramento mounted a late challenge in the fourth quarter while Jokic was off the floor, closing the gap to 110-104, but he promptly returned to spark a decisive run. Jokic sank a three-pointer, provided an assist to Bruce Brown for a corner trey, and added a pair of layups. He capped his night by making a key steal and layup to extend Denver’s lead to 130-117 with 2:37 left, helping to seal the victory.
Kings’ Balanced Attack Falls Short
Despite seven Sacramento players reaching double figures, the Kings could not overturn Denver’s persistent advantage. Russell Westbrook posted season highs of 26 points and 12 rebounds against his former club. Zach LaVine, who entered Monday averaging 29.5 points, was limited to a season-low 15 on just 4-for-11 shooting from the field. Westbrook, warmly received by the Denver crowd at the first timeout, had previously averaged 13.3 points in 75 appearances during the 2024-25 season for Denver, as well as 11.7 points per game across the playoffs.
Speaking ahead of the contest, Nuggets head coach David Adelman credited Westbrook’s postseason contributions, stating that Denver would not have overcome the Los Angeles Clippers in the opening playoff round without the 18-year veteran.
Statistical Overview
| Player | Points | Assists | Rebounds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nikola Jokic (DEN) | 34 | 14 | 7 |
| Aaron Gordon (DEN) | 20 | 1 | 7 |
| Christian Braun (DEN) | 21 | 3 | 4 |
| Russell Westbrook (SAC) | 26 | 6 | 12 |
| Zach LaVine (SAC) | 15 | 4 | 5 |
Braun and Upcoming Fixtures
Christian Braun rebounded from a subdued outing on Friday at Portland – where he registered just five points while committing four turnovers – by providing a career-best 21 points in this encounter.
The Kings are set to host the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night, while the Nuggets will continue their four-game homestand by welcoming the Miami Heat on the same night.
