DENVER: Michael Malone called him Superman. At the moment, Nikola Jokic’s just super-tired.
The Denver Nuggets big man can’t wait to get some sleep after a career-best 61-point performance in which he played nearly 53 minutes. He didn’t leave the court after halftime of a 140-139 double-overtime loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night.
His scoring spree was the most by a player in the NBA this season. Jokic also had 10 rebounds and 10 assists, notching the third 60-point triple-double in NBA history. Luka Doncic did it on Dec. 27, 2022 and James Harden did it on Jan. 30, 2018.
“The guy’s Superman,” Nuggets coach Malone said. “He’s on a whole other level, man. People say he’s not athletic, but not many guys can do what he does.”
Jokic’s previous career best was 56 points in a loss at Washington on Dec. 7. The franchise mark is held by David Thompson, who had 73 points at Detroit on April 9, 1978.
On Tuesday, Jokic attempted 24 free throws – making 19 – to match the team mark held by Carmelo Anthony. For all his exploits, Jokic had just one over-riding emotion: “Tired,” he said. “It was an exhausting game.”
Anthony Edwards gave the three-time NBA MVP major props. Jokic’s in a heated race for another MVP award with Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
“Nikola Jokic, he might be the best basketball player that I have ever seen close up, besides myself,” cracked Edwards, who had 34 points and 10 rebounds. “He is incredible. The MVP race is tough. I don’t know. He had 60. That is crazy.”
Of course, this game – a sixth straight loss to Minnesota, including playoffs – will be remembered by Nuggets fans for Jokic’s exploits on the court. But it will also be remembered for a wild finish.
Leading 139-138 with around 14 seconds left, Russell Westbrook stole the ball and dished it over to Christian Braun who then sent it right back to Westbrook for a layup. But Westbrook’s layup clanked off the rim and started a break the other way.
Westbrook ran down the court and fouled Nickeil Alexander-Walker in the corner with 0.1 seconds remaining. The Timberwolves guard hit two of three free throws to steal the victory.
“Obviously, I feel awful for Russ,” Malone said. “That last play we get the turnover, we don’t convert, and then the foul. It was not from a lack of effort or care.
“Sometimes it goes like that, and that’s why we’ve just got to be strong. We’ve got to be resilient.”
The big question: Should the Nuggets have not attempted the layup and pulled the ball back out to run down the clock?
“It’s tough. You’ve got a two-on-one break,” Malone said. “As a coach, am I up on the sideline yelling, ‘Don’t go?’ We’ve got a layup. But it’s easy to say that (pull the ball out) in hindsight, because we missed a layup. ... He (Westbrook) is a tough kid, and I think he knows that everybody in that locker room’s got his back.”
For Jokic, there’s not much time for rest. The Nuggets play Wednesday night against San Antonio. All he said he needs was a little break.
“I think we’re so used to this,” Jokic said. “Tomorrow, I’m not going to remember I played so many minutes.”
Jokic scores career-high 61 points, plays nearly 53 minutes in 140-139 double-OT loss to Wolves
https://arab.news/4z5ny
Jokic scores career-high 61 points, plays nearly 53 minutes in 140-139 double-OT loss to Wolves
- Nikola Jokic’s scoring spree was the most by a player in the NBA this season
- Jokic’s previous career best was 56 points in a loss at Washington on Dec. 7
Team Brady takes at E1 World Championship season opener in Jeddah, ahead of Aoki and Rafa
- Defending champions Emma Kimilainen and Sam Coleman deliver standout qualifying performances in the all-electric E1 RaceBird
- Event marks opening weekend of the 2026 UIM E1 World Championship, featuring 10 teams competing in 8 races across 4 continents between now and November
JEDDAH: Defending world champions Team Brady claimed pole position in a dramatic day of qualification action for the E1 Jeddah GP powerboat race.
Team pilots Emma Kimilainen and Sam Coleman delivered the standout performances in the all-electric E1 RaceBird as they mastered the tight and technical Jeddah circuit to lead the field heading into Saturday’s main race.
The event, set against the backdrop of Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast, marked the opening weekend of the 2026 UIM E1 World Championship. Ten teams are competing for the Champions of the Water title this year, with the race in Jeddah the first of eight across four continents between now and November.
The teams and pilots were tested by three elimination sessions on Friday in the battle to be the fastest qualifier.
Team Miami and Team Blue Rising were knocked out in the Qualifying Time Trials, but newcomers Team Monaco and Sierra Racing Club both managed to advance to the first qualifier. Monaco’s debut qualifying adventure ended there, as they were eliminated along with Team AlUla. Teams Sierra and Drogba were knocked out in in the second qualifier.
That left four boats to fight for pole position: Westbrook, Rafa, Aoki and Brady. Former NFL star Tom Brady’s team were the favorites after setting the best times in both Q1 and Q2.
On the first run in the pole position showdown, Kimilainen laid down the gauntlet, finishing more than 3 seconds clear of her closest competitor and putting Brady on provisional pole. In the end, it was her first lap that secured the pole position and the three points for top qualifier.
Aoki Racing’s Dani Clos took second place, missing out on top spot by just 1.7 seconds. Team Rafa’s Tom Chiappe looked strong early in his final run but time slipped away from the Frenchman and he had to settle for third-best. Westbrook Racing had been fastest at the start of the day in the initial Qualifying Time Trials, but American Sara Price ultimately brought up the rear in the final, four-way qualifying battle.
“It was a great team effort once again,” Kimilainen said. “Conditions were tricky; the water is sometimes a bit crazy and there are fine margins. I was happy to pull the first lap off and then I was experimenting on the second run.”
Teammate Coleman added: “We are here to fight all season, but we had pole here in Jeddah last year and had a tough race day. We are excited, happy with three points on the board, but tomorrow is going to be a tough day.”
The event marks the return of the UIM E1 World Championship to Saudi Arabia for a third consecutive year and, as usual, there are plenty of events and entertainment away from the circuit to keep fans entertained.
Formula E’s Driving Force presented by PIF 360 offers an educational program that aims to inspire young people between the ages of 8 and 18 to explore science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects, as well as sustainability issues, while connecting the classrooms of the future with electric-vehicle racing.
Alejandro Agag, the founder and chairperson of E1, said: “Jeddah holds a special place in our hearts at E1 as our now-traditional season opener.
“Our friends and supporters from the Saudi Water Sports and Diving Federation and the Ministry of Sport have once again been incredibly hospitable to us, our teams and our pilots.
“We’ve already seen an intense battle in qualifying today. Tomorrow’s race is now set to be followed closely by spectators in our E1 Fan Zone and around the world, when all eyes will be on the waters here in Jeddah.”
