Jokic, Nuggets Beat Pacers 114-102 in Mexico City
Denver led by as many as 26, Indiana cut it to seven late, and Nikola Jokic afterward talked about the crowd, an eight-hour trip and the NBA playing outside America.
Eight hours. That is how long Nikola Jokic says he traveled from his home in Denver to his hotel in Mexico City. The trip ended on the night of November 7 to 8 on the floor of Arena CDMX, specially decorated for the Day of the Dead, where the Denver Nuggets beat the Indiana Pacers 114-102.
In 36 minutes Jokic had 19 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists, plus one steal, one block and one turnover. He shot 7 of 20 from the field, 1 of 3 from three-point range and 4 of 4 from the free-throw line. He finished two assists short of another triple-double, and after the game he set the numbers aside himself.
How did Denver decide the game in the second quarter?
According to B92’s notes, the quarters went as follows (Indiana first): 19-27, 22-37, 37-26 and 24-24. Denver settled the game in the second period, partly with Jokic off the floor, and went to halftime up 64-41. By then the Serbian center had 10 points, six rebounds and four assists.
The sources differ on the biggest lead. Sport klub reports that the Pacers’ deficit reached 27 points before the break, while B92 puts the Nuggets’ largest lead at 26, early in the third quarter. At halftime the gap was 23.
Indiana did not give up. Aaron Nesmith hit two threes in a row to start a run, and Larry Nance Jr. made all five of his three-point attempts and finished with 15 points. The Pacers scored 37 in the third quarter, only four fewer than in the entire first half. Late in the game they got within seven and had the ball, but could not capitalize. Jamal Murray hit a three with five minutes left to put Denver back up by double digits, then hit another to make it 110-99.
Denver finished with 29 assists and only three turnovers.
What did Jokic say after the game?
At the post-game press conference, as reported by B92, he was asked about his own stats. His answer was short:
“No, I wasn’t focused on that. I’m just happy because we won.”
On the crowd at Arena CDMX, he said:
“Yes, the crowd was very good, the energy was there the whole game. I didn’t know who they were cheering for, so I had mixed feelings during the game. The energy was there, and that’s the most important thing.”
On the city itself, he said: “The city is big. People in Mexico are very emotional, passionate about everything they do. Those are two things.”
Asked how much games like this matter for basketball in Latin America, Jokic said:
“I think it’s important, basketball is a global sport and I think it’s good that NBA teams travel around the world. It’s nice to see the fans, the support, wherever we go we have fans watching us and cheering for us, and that’s important.”
He described the trip like this: “From my house in Denver to the hotel we traveled for eight hours. For me that’s a lot, the airport here is about two hours away. Still, it’s nice to feel this and to see a new culture.”
He also singled out the return of Spencer Jones, who was playing his first game of the season: “He was okay, very good with his shot. He had some important rebounds, his defense was aggressive and physical and that’s something we need from him. I’m happy for him and I hope we stay healthy.”
Who else decided the game, and who was missing?
Cam Johnson led Denver with 18 points. Murray added 16 points, six rebounds and eight assists, and Jones had 13 points and six rebounds. The Nuggets played without the injured Julian Strawther.
For Indiana, Pascal Siakam scored 23 points with five assists, and Ivica Zubac had 10 points and 12 rebounds. The Pacers arrived in Mexico short-handed: Tyrese Haliburton, Ben Sheppard and Johnny Furphy did not play.
Why was this game special?
According to Eurohoops, it was the 35th NBA game in Mexico since 1992, more than in any country outside the United States and Canada. Jokic has played Indiana outside America before: Eurohoops recalls Denver’s win in London in 2017 and also mentions the preseason games in Abu Dhabi in 2024.
What comes next?
After its second straight win, Denver is 5-3, while Indiana is 3-7. David Adelman’s team visits Memphis on the night between Monday and Tuesday. The Pacers fly to Dallas to face the Mavericks.
