OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Nikola Jokic had 28 points and 14 rebounds to help the Denver Nuggets roll past the Oklahoma City Thunder 128-95 on Sunday for their third straight win to open the season.
Michael Porter Jr. had 20 points and nine rebounds and Jamal Murray added 19 points and eight assists for the Nuggets.
Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren was the No. 2 pick in the 2022 draft, but he missed last season with a foot injury. He got a loud cheer when he was introduced with the starters in his first regular-season home game and delivered a team-leading 19 points.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a first-team All-NBA selection last season, scored just seven points on 2-for-16 shooting.
WARRIORS 106, ROCKETS 95
HOUSTON (AP) — Stephen Curry had 24 points, with four 3-pointers down the stretch, and Klay Thompson added 19 points to lead Golden State over Houston.
The Warriors led by as many as 16 before the Rockets began chipping away at the lead.
Draymond Green made his season-debut after missing the first two games with a sprained left ankle. His return to the starting lineup relegated Chris Paul to a reserve role, marking the first time the 12-time All-Star had come off the bench in his NBA career.
Jalen Green had 21 points and Alperen Sengun added 19 for the Rockets, who fell to 0-3 this season.
HAWKS 127, BUCKS 110
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Trae Young scored 20 points to lead eight players in double figures, and Atlanta limited Damian Lillard to six points while routing Milwaukee for its first victory of the season.
Bogdan Bogdanovic added 17 points, Dejounte Murray had 15 and Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu finished with 14 apiece for the Hawks.
Lillard, who scored 39 points in his Bucks debut on Thursday, failed to score in the first half, missing all seven of his shots, including four from 3-point range, He also committed six of the team’s nine turnovers.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 26 points and 11 rebounds. Malik Beasley added 18 points.
76ERS 126, TRAIL BLAZERS 98
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid had 35 points and 15 rebounds, Tyrese Maxey added 26 points and 10 boards, and James Harden watched it all from Philadelphia’s bench as the 76ers beat Portland.
Shaedon Sharpe led winless Portland with 20 points and Malcom Brogdon had 18.
Harden yanked his yellow hood over his head and laughed at times with his teammates — notably P.J. Tucker — as he sat out a third straight game. The official listed reason: return to competition reconditioning.
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