NBA: Nikola Jokic reaches triple-double milestone as Nuggets hold off Pelicans’ rally

Nikola Jokic became the second player in NBA history to tally 200 career triple-doubles and Christian Braun knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers during a critical late-game stretch as the Denver Nuggets held off the host New Orleans Pelicans 104-91 on Wednesday.

It was Jokic's second triple-double of the season, both coming against New Orleans, as the 12-year veteran finished with 21 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists. Jokic joined Russell Westbrook, the all-time leader in triple-doubles who piled up 209 in 18 seasons.

All five Nuggets players finished with double-digit points, led by Jamal Murray's 23. Aaron Gordon registered a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds, Braun added 12 points and Trevon Brazile chipped in 11 points.

Despite a sluggish scoring performance, shooting just 1-of-6 from the floor, DeMar DeRozan provided key contributions down the stretch and finished with five assists and two steals.

Denver never trailed winless New Orleans, thanks to an early onslaught. Despite building a 22-point lead by the second quarter, however, the Nuggets needed to hold off the Pelicans deep into the fourth quarter.

Led by Zion Williamson, who scored a game-high 25 points, New Orleans pulled to within five points midway through the final period.

Denver allowed the Pelicans to get no closer, snuffing out the rally with a quick flurry of 3-pointers.

Murray quickly doubled the Nuggets' lead, first knocking down a 3-pointer from the left corner before delivering a finger-roll layup on the next possession.

After Williamson followed his own miss to score on the other end, Braun -- who had yet to connect on a 3-point attempt -- answered with a triple off of a DeRozan assist.

DeRozan set up Braun again for another made 3-pointer a little more than a minute later, extending the Denver lead to 12 points and effectively putting the game away.

Denver's 12-of-31 3-point shooting (38.7%), buoyed by its five made triples in the fourth quarter, helped make the difference on a night New Orleans went a dismal 7-of-30 from long range (23.3%).

Derik Queen came off the bench to post a double-double of 11 points and 12 rebounds, but no other Pelican except for Williamson scored more than 11.

-Field Level Media/Reuters