Nikola Jokić led the Denver Nuggets to a remarkable comeback victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night, overcoming a 23-point deficit to win 141-135 in overtime at Ball Arena in Denver. Jokić scored 35 points, including eight in the extra period, and recorded 15 rebounds and 10 assists for his 199th career regular-season triple-double, placing him second only to Russell Westbrook, who retired with 209.

Despite the win, the game was marked by tension with the home crowd, as sections of the Nuggets’ fans booed the team when they trailed 73-57 at halftime. Jokić addressed the reaction after the game, expressing his disappointment and stating that fans who booed should reconsider their support. “If you guys follow us, you know that we never quit and we’ve come back from much worse situations. So, if they ask me, they are not welcome anymore,” Jokić said.

Jamal Murray contributed heavily to Denver’s comeback, scoring a game-high 42 points, while rookie Trevon Brazille added 17 points, including seven in overtime during his home debut. Brazille’s corner three-pointer with 1:25 remaining in overtime helped the Nuggets secure a 133-129 lead. Denver’s rally featured key plays such as three-pointers from both Murray and Jokić, and a reverse dunk from Aaron Gordon. The Nuggets were without injured players Cam Johnson (ankle) and Alpha Diallo (sprained wrist), and continued to be without Julian Strawther and Spencer Jones.

New Orleans, playing their third game under new head coach Jamahl Mosley, was led by Trey Murphy III, who tallied 26 points. Dejounte Murray added 22 points, while Derik Queen and Zion Williamson scored 17 points apiece. The Pelicans started strong, shooting an impressive 65.9% in the first half to build their 23-point lead. Although Denver narrowed the gap to 16 points later in the game, New Orleans pushed the advantage back to 19 going into the fourth quarter.

Denver erased the deficit late in regulation, thanks in part to Murray’s clutch free throws that tied the game with 17 seconds remaining. The Nuggets’ resilience and depth enabled them to ultimately prevail in overtime, leaving the Pelicans to drop their third consecutive game to open the season.