Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic had a historic first half against Houston The Denver Nuggets had a strange first half against the Houston Rockets on Friday night.
Denver, which led 60-43 at halftime, looked very bad on both ends, but superstar center Nikola Jokic had a historic first half.
According to Basketball Reference’s Stat Head, Jokic finished the first half with 25 points, 13 rebounds and three assists, making him the first player to score above that line in the first half of a game since the NBA began tracking the data in 1996.
Since the NBA began scoring, Joel Embiid and Anthony Davis are the only players with at least 25 points and 13 rebounds in a first half, but neither has recorded three assists.
This was a special half for Jokic offensively, but it wasn’t enough to bring the team closer to Houston as the rest of the Nuggets didn’t do much.
Jokic scored 25 of Denver’s 43 points in the first half and was responsible for almost all of Denver’s offense.
The reigning Finals MVP can carry the same offensive load, but will need his teammates to step up, especially in Jamal Murray’s absence.
The Nuggets are just 4-4 since Murray played alone and are in danger of losing again Friday night against Murray. A strong Rockets team.
Houston may have had easy wins over the past few seasons, but that was clearly not the case today.
