Nikola Jokic posts career-high 56 points in loss to free-falling Wizards

Nikola Jokić reached a new high in a Hall of Fame career on Saturday. It wasn't enough to avoid a loss to the worst team in the NBA.

Jokić's Denver Nuggets fell to the Washington Wizards 122-113 despite the three-time MVP posting 56 points on 22-of-38 shooting, along with 16 rebounds and eight assists. The win broke a 16-game losing streak for Washington, whose record remains an NBA-worst 3-18. Every other NBA team has at least five wins.

In the case of Jokić, the career high wasn't a reflection of brilliance so much as a lack of other options on the Nuggets. Jamal Murray (hamstring) and Aaron Gordon (calf) were both out Saturday, essentially leaving the big man as option Nos. 1, 2 and 3 for a team that is now 11-10.

The non-Jokić Denver players combined to shoot 24-for-56 with 10 turnovers. The bigger issue might have been on defense though, as the NBA's worst team by offensive rating looked downright competent facing the short-handed Nuggets.




https://sports.yahoo.com/nikola-jokic-posts-career-high-56-points-in-loss-to-free-falling-wizards-024803674.html