Jokic passes Westbrook as Denver erases 23-point deficit
The Serbian center had 35 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists in the comeback against New Orleans, then told the fans who booed that they do not have to come.
Nikola Jokic heard boos from the stands at Ball Arena in the first home game of the season, and when it was all over he said the people who booed did not need to come back. By then Denver had a 141-135 overtime win over New Orleans, played Saturday night local time, October 24, 2026, and Jokic had recorded a triple-double that, by Denver Sports’ count, put him ahead of Russell Westbrook.
What did Jokic tell the fans who booed?
After the game Jokic spoke openly about the boos. He said:
“They booed us in the first home game, and I think those fans who booed us don’t have to come anymore.”
He added:
“If you follow us, you know we never give up and that we have come back from much worse.”
Of the poor start that left Denver chasing the game, Jokic said briefly: “It was just bad energy, and it takes a few minutes to get out of it.”
How did Denver erase a 23-point deficit?
New Orleans shot 65.9 percent from the field in the first half and at one point led by 23. Denver cut the gap to 16 in the third quarter, with Jokic and Jamal Murray scoring 22 of their team’s 32 points in that stretch. The Pelicans still went into the final period up 19.
The deficit then vanished behind three-pointers from Murray and Jokic and a spinning dunk from Aaron Gordon. With 17 seconds left in regulation Denver had a chance to take the lead, but Murray made two of three free throws to tie the score. Murray finished with 42 points.
Denver got ahead early in overtime. Rookie Trevon Brazil, in his debut in front of the home crowd, scored seven of his 17 points in the extra five minutes, including a corner three for 133-129 with 1:25 left. Jokic added eight points in overtime.
How many triple-doubles does Jokic have now?
Jokic finished with 35 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists, and according to the Associated Press he also had three blocks and two steals in 44 minutes. It was the 199th regular-season triple-double of his career, which keeps him second on the all-time list behind Westbrook, who finished his career with 209.
The totals differ depending on what is counted. Adding the regular season and the playoffs, Denver Sports reports that Jokic now has 222 triple-doubles (199 plus 23), one more than Westbrook’s 221 (209 plus 12). In the regular season alone, Jokic still trails Westbrook by ten.
Who played and who did not?
Denver played without Cam Johnson (ankle) and Alpha Diallo (sprained wrist), and also went on without Julian Strawther and Spencer Jones. Overtime was therefore decided by a team with a shortened bench.
For the visitors, Trey Murphy III scored 26 points, Dejounte Murray 22, and Derik Queen and Zion Williamson 17 each. New Orleans has lost its first three games under new coach Jamal Mosley. The Pelicans did get one piece of good news: the knee injury to center Yves Missi, suffered Friday night in Utah, turned out to be a bruise rather than anything more serious.
When does Denver play next?
The Nuggets host Golden State on Monday night local time, and on Wednesday they visit New Orleans, where they will face the Pelicans again.
