Brandon Ingram records a 31-point triple-double in the Pelicans’ win over the Nuggets as Denver MVP candidate Nikola Jokic sits
Brandon Ingram had 31 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists for his third triple-double of the season and the New Orleans Pelicans took advantage of Nikola Jokic’s absence to beat the Denver Nuggets 107-88 on Thursday night.
Jonas Valanciunas had 15 points and 12 rebounds and CJ McCollum scored 23 points for New Orleans.
The Pelicans tied Minnesota for seventh in the West with their sixth win in seven games.
Jokic was in street clothes because of a nagging calf strain that bothered him Monday night in a win over Philadelphia.
Jamal Murray had 21 points for Denver and Bruce Brown added 19. The Nuggets’ lead in the Western Conference was cut to three games over Memphis with six to play.
New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram recorded a triple-double in win over Denver
He recorded 31 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists to lead the Pelicans to an easy but crucial victory.
Denver’s offense struggled without its leading scorer, rebounder, and assist player, managing just 40 points in the first half on 34.8% shooting.
The Nuggets were 4-for-28 from 3-point range on the night.
Pelicans F Zion Williamson missed his 40th straight game with a hamstring injury. He will be re-evaluated on Wednesday.
New Orleans committed five fouls in the first half and 11 in the third quarter.
Denver missed their first nine shot attempts before Gordon’s layup with 7:42 remaining in the first quarter.
Michael Porter Jr. was 0-for-7 from 3-point range. G Reggie Jackson, signed after Charlotte bought him in February, hasn’t played in the last four games.
Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (left) sat out the game with a strained calf muscle.