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By Matthew Couden
Contributing Writer
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The Denver Nuggets picked up their first win of the season but it took overtime to do so and against a New Orleans Pelicans team not predicted to be among Western Conference contenders.
Denver won the matchup 141-135 with Nikola Jokic achieving another career triple-double. The two-time NBA MVP finished with 35 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists in the win, while teammate Jamal Murray led all players with 42 points.
Following the game, Jokic was asked about fans booing his team at their home opener, and the Nuggets big man sent a clear message on their attendance.
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"I'm actually so glad you mentioned that because we get booed at the first home game, and I think those fans that booed us, they don't need to come anymore, because if you guys follow us, you know that we never quit," Jokic said. "If they ask me, they are not welcome anymore."
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According to ESPN, Saturday night's game at Denver's Ball Arena had 19,905 fans in attendance to see the Nuggets outlast the Pelicans, 141-135 in overtime. At one point, the visitors surged to a 23-point lead in the second quarter and were ahead by 19 going into the fourth.
However, the home team fought back, despite the booing fans, thanks mostly to Jokic and Murray. However, teammates also contributed to the comeback effort, including Trevon Brazile with 17 points and Christian Braun with 15 points.
The win improved Denver to 1-1 for their season, after previously falling to the Oklahoma City Thunder, 96-84, to begin the season. The Nuggets are still among the top 10 teams when it comes to odds to win the NBA Finals, which is a long way off.
They previously captured the championship in the 2023 NBA Finals when Jokic led his team to a 4-1 win over the Miami Heat. Since then, they've struggled to return to the championship series due to powerhouse contenders, including the Thunder and San Antonio Spurs rising in the Western Conference.
However, Jokic should probably realize that even the best get booed in their home building. It happened several nights ago when the Philadelphia 76ers fans became frustrated with their team, as they were down 29 points in their home opener.
That said, LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, and the new-look 76ers also delivered a thrilling home win, 114-106. James reacted very differently to the fans' booing, seeming to revel in the moment and then bask in the cheers later.
"It was everything that I dreamed of and more. We got the boos. That was amazing. We deserved it. And then we had the cheers, and almost blew the roof off this thing tonight — in a good way. It was a hell of a night," James said.
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