Nikola Jokic registers first-half triple-double as Nuggets throttle Timberwolves

Nikola Jokic stood on the outer fringes of a fourth-quarter timeout, hands clasped behind his back as if admiring his work.

Though he’s too humble to think in those terms, Jokic crafted a masterpiece on Tuesday night, as the Nuggets throttled the visiting Timberwolves, 146-112. On account of Jokic’s first-half triple-double, the two-time reigning MVP got to watch from the bench while his teammates salted away another home victory.

“We had a night where we were firing on all cylinders,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said.

Denver improved to 38-17 on the season, including 26-4 at home. They’ll resume play on Thursday at Orlando.

Jokic watched, just as engaged and encouraging as if the result had still been in doubt. He finished the night with 20 points, 16 assists, and 12 rebounds in 28 minutes of work. It was his NBA-leading 19th triple-double of the season. Not coincidentally, the Nuggets improved to 19-0 on such occasions.

Michael Porter Jr. was outstanding with 30 points and four 3-pointers. His aggression, both in hunting for his shots and in charging downhill toward the basket, were indications of how confident he was in his body. It was necessary, too, as Jamal Murray sat with inflammation in his right knee.

“Michael was a plus-43 tonight,” said Malone, who relayed the stat to Porter in the postgame locker room. “Guy’s got an amazing smile.”

Aaron Gordon added 24 points with eight assists in the rout. The Nuggets dished a season-high 44 dimes as a team.

Nuggets reserve guard Bones Hyland sat again in what was Denver’s final game before Thursday’s trade deadline. It remained to be seen whether he’d be on the team beyond then. Nonetheless, Hyland was on the bench celebrating his teammates’ success. Before he left the court following his pre-game shooting, he stopped and signed numerous autographs for eager fans.

Just because a triple-double had already been secured didn’t mean Jokic would cease being unselfish. His sliced Minnesota’s defense to shreds in the third quarter, setting up layups, mid-range looks and 3-pointers for any teammate who was fortunate enough to be on the floor. Bruce Brown caught two helpers by the rim. Gordon got another in the same spot. Three dimes were reserved for Porter, who had the hot hand on Tuesday night. Recognizing mismatches at a moment’s notice, Jokic fed him relentlessly.

When Jokic checked out with a few minutes left in the third quarter, he was, again, treated to another standing ovation. As he walked past his teammates, DeAndre Jordan embraced him with a bear hug fit for an MVP. Behind Jokic’s monstrous effort, the Nuggets carried a 110-75 lead into the fourth quarter.

Prior to the game, Malone explained that they’d be cautious with Murray for obvious reasons.

“I think any time you’re coming back from a left knee ACL, your body just compensates naturally,” Malone said when asked about Murray’s right knee. “He’s been playing at such a high level, playing a lot of minutes for us. I don’t know if it was just maybe that right knee was getting overworked, whatever it was.

“… It wasn’t one moment,” Malone said. “I think it’s just maybe a build-up over time.”

Murray, along with the rest of his teammates, reveled in the onslaught that Jokic helped orchestrate in the first half.