Nikola Jokic says booing Nuggets fans 'not welcome anymore' - ESPN

DENVER — Nikola Jokic had a typically brilliant night on the court to help rally the short-handed Denver Nuggets from down 23 to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 141-135 in overtime Saturday night, then saved his strongest message for the fans at Ball Arena.

Speaking to reporters at his postgame news conference, Jokic sternly rebuked Nuggets fans who booed the team amid its struggles in the first half of its home opener. Denver trailed 53-30 in the second quarter and went into halftime down 73-57 before it mounted its remarkable comeback.

«We got booed at our first home game, and I think those fans who booed us, they don't need to come anymore,» Jokic said. «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.»

Jokic scored eight of his 35 points in overtime and finished with 15 rebounds and 10 assists for the 199th triple-double of his career in the regular season, second to Russell Westbrook, who retired with 209.

Jokic said he couldn't quite explain why it took so long for the Nuggets to get it going Saturday.

«It was just, you know, nothing goes your way, they're making shots and you're not making shots,» he said. «It was just bad energy and it needs a couple of minutes to go by so you can get out of it.»

Jamal Murray scored 42 points and rookie Trevon Brazile had seven of his 17 points in overtime in his home debut for Denver, which took an early lead in overtime. His corner 3-pointer with 1:25 left in overtime gave the Nuggets a 133-129 lead.

Denver played without Cam Johnson (ankle) and Alpha Diallo (sprained wrist) and continued to be without Julian Strawther and Spencer Jones.

Trey Murphy III led New Orleans with 26