Nikola Jokic helped break the Pacers' pressure down with 18 points and 19 assists and the Nuggets won the paint battle 74-46 in a win Monday.
Pacers veteran point guard T.J. McConnell sprained his right ankle in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game against the Clippers and did not return. McConnell scored 13 points on 5 of 5 shooting. He entered the game averaging 9.
Clippers star wings Kawhi Leonard and Norman Powell will both miss Sunday's game against the Pacers with injuries.
Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton fired back on social media after Hall of Fame guard Tim Hardaway Sr. recently called him out. "Tell the world the real reason you feel this way, Tim," Haliburton wrote on Friday.
Pacers center Jahlil Okafor's 10-day contract has expired and will not be immediately renewed, but he will return to play with the Mad Ants.
Aaron Gordon scored 25 points, Michael Porter Jr. had 19 points and 11 rebounds and Nikola Jokic added 18 points, nine rebounds and a career-high 19 assists as the Denver Nuggets beat the Indiana Pacers 125-116 on Monday in Indianapolis.
Feb 24, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) shoots the ball while Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images / Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Feb 24, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin (00) shoots the ball while Denver Nuggets forward Zeke Nnaji (22) defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images / Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images