Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic (15) shoots over New York Knicks’ Karl-Anthony Cities (32) through the second half of an NBA basketball recreation Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in New York. (AP Picture/Frank Franklin II)
NEW YORK — Two years after he received an NBA title, Nikola Jokic views the surging New York Knicks as a “top-five candidate” to finish their 52-year championship drought.
The Knicks beat Jokic’s Denver Nuggets 122-112 on Wednesday for his or her fifth straight victory. At 32-16, they’re a recreation behind reigning champion Boston for second place within the Jap Convention.
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After ringing up 143 factors in every of their two earlier video games, their complete Wednesday gave the Knicks 408 over their final three video games, a franchise file.
READ: NBA: Suring Kings beat slumping Nuggets for fifth straight win
firing on all cylinders 💥
Jalen 30 PTS | 4 REB | 15 AST
OG 23 PTS | 4 REB
Josh 15 PTS | 5 REB | 5 AST | 3 STL
KAT 14 PTS | 10 REB | 5 AST | 1 BLK
Mikal 13 PTS | 3 REB | 2 AST | 1 STL
Deuce 12 PTS | 4 AST pic.twitter.com/sjXv9Dmjgj— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) January 30, 2025
They scored their season-high of 145 factors in a victory in Denver in November.
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“They’re enjoying very well. They’re well-coached, they’re pushing the tempo and within the halfcourt they know what they’re doing. So that they’re a very good workforce,” mentioned Jokic, the three-time NBA MVP. “I feel they’re the favorites – not the favorites, however I feel top-five candidates for the title.”
The Knicks haven’t received the title since 1973 and haven’t reached the convention finals since 2000. However they loaded up for a run this summer season by buying Karl-Anthony Cities, who with Jalen Brunson gave the Knicks two gamers voted as All-Star starters for the primary time since 1975.
Brunson had 30 factors and 15 assists Wednesday, changing into simply the fourth Knicks participant to do this in a recreation.
READ: NBA: Knicks roll over Grizzlies for greatest win of season
However the Knicks, who’re at present the fourth option to win the title at BetMGM behind Boston, Oklahoma Metropolis, and Cleveland, don’t wish to take into consideration having a summer season celebration like Jokic and the Nuggets loved in 2023 after they received their franchise’s first NBA title.
“I don’t wish to discuss concerning the future, I wish to discuss concerning the current,” Cities mentioned. “I wish to discuss what we will do proper now to be the very best workforce we might be, as a result of I’ve plenty of expertise and when you can maintain the current, the long run will maintain itself.”
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