DENVER — Michael Malone tends to wear his emotions on his sleeve. At least he went home happy Saturday night.
On the same night Nikola Jokic tied Wilt Chamberlain for the most triple-doubles by a center in NBA history with 78, the two-time reigning MVP sealed Denver’s fate with a hard driving layup on one end and a clutch steal on the other. Despite landing at 3:30 a.m. Saturday after a gripping win over the Golden State Warriors late Friday night, the Nuggets hung on to knock off the Oklahoma City Thunder, 122-117.
Jokic’s night – 19 points, 16 rebounds and 13 assists – embodied the MVP tribute video he got midway through the first quarter in Denver’s home opener.