Kelly Oubre Jr. Makes Huge Nikola Jokić Claim Before Pacers-Nuggets

Nikola Jokić recorded his 201st career triple-double Wednesday, finishing with 32 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists in Denver's 128-109 win over the Toronto Raptors. On Saturday at Arena CDMX in Mexico City, the Indiana Pacers get their first look at him this season.

Jokić needs nine more triple-doubles to pass Russell Westbrook for the most in NBA history. He has three through seven games for the Denver Nuggets, who are 4-3.

He is averaging 23 points, nearly 10 rebounds, and just over nine assists. His 3-point shooting has dipped to a career-low 22%, according to the Pacers' game preview.

Jokić has won three MVP awards. He has finished first or second in the voting in each of the last six seasons.

"Defend, do our best job to slow down the four-time, however many time MVP that these guys won," Kelly Oubre Jr. said. "He's one of the best players to ever touch the basketball. He has a very [good] supporting cast around him. So it's up to us to be locked in and be focused on the details."

Oubre, who has missed two games with a left calf contusion, is questionable. He said after Friday's practice that he plans to play.

The last time these teams met, Jamal Murray scored 52 points in a 135-120 Nuggets win at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Dec. 3, 2025. He went 19-of-25 from the field and 10-of-11 from 3-point range. Jokić added 24 points, eight rebounds, and 13 assists.

Denver swept the two-game season series last year.

Murray leads the Nuggets at 25 points per game this season. He is also averaging a career-high 5.4 rebounds to go with 5.9 assists.

"It's a really good team," Pascal Siakam said. "Obviously, they've won at the highest level already before, and they have obviously Jokić and a great team, Jamal and all the guys over there. So it's going to be a fun game, and we're excited for the matchup."

Siakam led Indiana with 23 points in that December loss. He enters Saturday 20 points shy of 13,000 for his career.

Andrew Nembhard, Indiana's starter at guard, is averaging a career-best 19 points with 6.9 assists and 39.5% shooting from 3-point range. His younger brother, Ryan, is on a two-way contract with Denver and has played in three games for the Nuggets this season.

If both play Saturday, it would be their first head-to-head meeting as professionals, according to NBA.com.

Julian Strawther, Andrew Nembhard's former teammate at Gonzaga, is out for Denver with a left knee sprain. DeMar DeRozan missed Wednesday's game with lower back spasms and is listed as probable.

Ivica Zubac and Obi Toppin returned Wednesday, when Indiana beat the Memphis Grizzlies 107-103 and snapped a five-game losing streak.

"It's a tough league, and it's fortunate for us that it's a long season," Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. "We're starting to get some guys back from injury stuff, and that helps. We did better in Memphis a couple nights ago, but Denver's our team to play. They got two great players in [Jokić and Murray] and a very good overall team. So we got our hands full, but we're excited to be here and looking forward to the opportunity."

Aaron Nesmith hit the corner 3 that sealed the Memphis win with 14.6 seconds left.

"Just staying together, believing in one another, trusting in one another like we do all year," Nesmith said. "I think if we do that at a high level, we'll be okay."

The team's preview projects Braden Smith, Nembhard, Nesmith, Siakam, and Zubac as Indiana's starting lineup. Denver's projected group is Murray, Christian Braun, Cameron Johnson, Aaron Gordon, and Jokić.

Tyrese Haliburton did not make the trip and is rehabbing a left hamstring strain at home. T.J. McConnell is questionable, and Ben Sheppard and Johnny Furphy are out.

The Pacers play the Nuggets again later this season in Denver. NBA TV carries the 5 p.m. ET tip.