Nikola Jokic notched his second triple-double of the season despite a quiet shooting night, Jamal Murray scored 23 points, and the Denver Nuggets beat the Phoenix Suns 133-111 in their home opener on Saturday night.
Jokic finished with 15 assists, 14 rebounds and 14 points on just 5-of-8 shooting. His first field goal attempt came with 2:26 left in the second quarter.
Jokic has 166 career triple-doubles during the regular season, third behind Russell Westbrook (203) and Oscar Robertson (181), and 18 more in the playoffs.
Devin Booker had 31 points and Grayson Allen scored 17 for the Suns, who were playing the second game of a tough back-to-back. They tipped off Saturday night 20 hours after losing by 27 to the Los Angeles Clippers and didn’t have center Mark Williams, who was out with a right knee injury.
Phoenix trailed by 20 early in the third quarter but went on a 13-2 run to cut the deficit to 83-74. The Nuggets scored the next 11 points and took a 100-83 lead into the fourth.
STARTING IT OFF RIGHT IN DENVER pic.twitter.com/6UraHPiDsi
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) October 26, 2025
Holmgren, Gilgeous-Alexander keep Thunder perfect
Chet Holmgren scored 31 points, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 30 and the reigning NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder pulled away in the second half for a 117-100 victory over the short-handed Atlanta Hawks.
The Thunder improved to 3-0 on the season after they won their first seven games last season on the way to the NBA title.
Gilgeous-Alexander, the league’s MVP last season, had another big night coming off a career-best 55-point performance in a 141-135 victory at Indiana on Thursday night.
Holmgren was 6 of 8 from beyond the 3-point stripe and grabbed 12 rebounds. Gilgeous-Alexander was nearly perfect on shots inside the arc, making 10 of 11.
After going to double-overtime to win its first two games, the Thunder didn’t need any extra time to finish off an Atlanta squad that was missing three starters.
Kristaps Porzingis (flu-like symptoms) and Zaccharie Risacher (right ankle sprain) each missed their second straight game. They were joined on the bench by Jalen Johnson, who sprained his right ankle in a victory at Orlando the previous night.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the Hawks with 17 points.
Fresh off the W in ATL, @ChetHolmgren and @NickAGallo break it all down pic.twitter.com/VoSqSWdg71
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) October 26, 2025
Grimes’ late 3 lifts 76ers over Hornets
Quentin Grimes snapped a tie with a 3-pointer with 14 seconds left, and Tyrese Maxey scored 28 points to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 125-121 win over the Charlotte Hornets.
Joel Embiid had 20 points with only two rebounds for the Sixers in their home opener. VJ Edgecombe scored 15 points for the Sixers after the 2025 No. 3 overall pick poured in 34 in the opener against Boston, the third-most points for an NBA player in his first game.
The Hornets lost Brandon Miller in the first half to left shoulder soreness. Miller grabbed his shoulder in pain and ran to the locker room after he was hurt on a play in the second quarter. He scored four points in nine minutes.
LaMelo Ball led the Hornets with 27 points and Collin Sexton had 21.
Grime Time was on full display!
24 PTS | 4 AST | 5 3PM@PALottery pic.twitter.com/4oTBuIDQ5h
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) October 26, 2025
