Nikola Jokic did his best Bo Nick impression with a wild pass across the field
Nikola Jokic turned a routine jump into a Hail Mary. Scrum under Denver’s rim, the Denver Nuggets The star quickly uncorked Peyton Watson’s full-court dime, the kind of quarterback who would Bo Nick a smile. The clip went viral on social media as Denver and Portland Trail Blazers traded shots at the NBA Cup opener.
The passage was not a one-off either. Jokic continued to test Portland’s balance on the floor with long openings, one of which sent Watson all the way through contact. It’s the latest entry in Jokic’s growing archive of “did he even see that?” assists, a play that turns the court over before the defense can load up.
The end didn’t cooperate for Denver. Jerami Grant buried two free throws with 1.4 seconds left, and Portland escaped with a 109–107 victory. Jokic’s 13-footer at the horn went off, sealing the Trail Blazers’ 38–26 fourth-quarter comeback. ESPN’s hi score shows Jamal Murray leading Denver with 22 points, while Jokic finished with 21 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists. a fifth straight triple-double to open the season. Danny Avdia topped Portland with 23.
Denver controlled most of the night and still came away empty-handed. Turnovers (19) and fouls late in the game opened the door, then a block by Shaddon Sharp and free throws by Grant opened the door. The long breakdown in the first quarter didn’t help the rhythm either. For the Nuggets, it’s a missed opportunity to cash in on a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter; for Portland, it’s a resilient Cup win that snaps Denver’s three-game hitting streak.
Jokic is Denver’s trickster in transitionweaponizing jumps like touchbacks and punishing any slow transition between offense and defense. The Nuggets can live with that process. Either way, quarterbacks aren’t the only ones throwing lasers on fall Fridays.
2025-11-01 07:01:00
