Pelicans lose sixth straight, falling to Nuggets, 116-108

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Nikola Jokic had 26 points, eight rebounds and 10 assists to lead the Denver Nuggets past the Pelicans on Saturday (Nov. 14), 116-108.

Jamal Murray added 23 points, seven rebounds and nine assists for Denver, which has won four of its last five games and moved to 3-0 against the Pelicans this season.

New Orleans (4-10) lost its sixth consecutive game, four of which have been at home.

Jokic shot 9 of 14 from the field. Murray shot 9 of 16.

Zion Williamson led New Orleans with 24 points. Saddiq Bey added 16, and rookie guard Jaron Pierre Jr. scored 13 in 23 minutes after scoring 23 points for the G-League Laketown Squadron’s inaugural home game earlier Saturday afternoon.

Jokic dictated play early, scoring nine points in the first quarter and entering halftime with 12 points, five rebounds and five assists. But New Orleans showed fight, with Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen combining for 16 points in the first half.

The Pelicans trimmed Denver’s lead to one with 53 seconds left in the half on a Pierre layup, then two on a Karlo Matkovic 3-pointer late in the third quarter.

Christian Braun had 17 points, seven rebounds and four steals for Denver. A spinning DeMar DeRozan jumper gave the Nuggets their largest lead of the night, 102-87, with 6:36 remaining.

Yves Missi (knee) returned to the lineup for New Orleans on a minutes restriction, logging three points, eight rebounds and four blocks after missing the previous 10 games.

Trey Murphy (knee) missed his fourth straight game. Dejounte Murray (ankle) missed his second consecutive game after requesting a trade from the Pelicans on Friday.

The Pelicans host Golden State on Monday night.

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