NBA: NIKOLA JOKIC STARS IN DENVER NUGGETS’ WIN OVER ATLANTA HAWKS, JOEL EMBIID LEADS PHILADELPHIA 76ERS TO VICTORY

BYJAMES HILSUM

UPDATED 07/04/2024 AT 08:28 GMT-1

Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid both played starring roles in Saturday’s NBA action. Jokic’s 25th triple-double of the season helped to secure a convincing 142-110 win over the Atlanta Hawks to leave the Colorado outfit first in the Western Conference and are now guaranteed a playoff place. Meanwhile, Embiid scored 30 points for the Philadelphia 76ers to boost their Eastern Conference playoff hopes.

DENVER, CO – APRIL 6: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets dribbles the ball during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on April 6, 2024 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/

Image credit: Getty Images

Nikola Jokic claimed his 25th triple-double of the season as the Denver Nuggets claimed a 142-110 win over the Atlanta Hawks.

The win ensured the Nuggets claimed first spot in what is turning out to be a keenly-contested Western Conference playoff race, as Jamal Murray also made a successful return with 16 points and six assists in the space of just 21 minutes.

Reggie Jackson also produced an impressive performance despite being blighted by a sickness bug, and came off the bench to score 18 points for the Hawks.

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Nuggets coach Michael Malone paid tribute to both Murray and Jackson in quotes published by nba.com: “I have to give him [Jackson] a lot of credit because I didn’t think he was going to play.

“For him to go out there, it was just amazing and a testament to his toughness.

“Having Jamal back gets Reggie back to that second unit. (It’s) more of a natural order of things for us, and it was great to have Jamal Murray back. And I was really grateful I didn’t have to put him back in. He’s on a minute restriction and I kept him well below his minute restriction.”

Clint Capela was the top scorer on a sobering day for the Hawks with 19 points, but guard Bogdan Bogdanovic was magnanimous in defeat, paying tribute to both Murray and Jokic

“He’s a tremendous player. Him and Jokic are the best duo in the league and it’s tough to guard them,” Bogdanovic said. “When Jokic needs to find a guy to score, he’s got Murray and that’s basically it.”

The result leaves the Nuggets in first place in the Western Conference and sit a half-game in front of the Minnesota Timberwolves, who play Denver in a tantalising clash on Wednesday – a game which could determine who claims the top seed in the division.

Both teams are back in action on Tuesday, as the Hawks host the Miami Heat and Denver visit the Utah Jazz.

EMBIID STARS FOR 76ERS IN GRIZZLIES WIN

Elsewhere, Joel Embiid scored 30 points for the Philadelphia 76ers to enhance their playoff prospects with a 116-96 victory at the Memphis Grizzlies.

Embiid is continuing to make his way back into action after recovering from left knee meniscus surgery and admits there is still some way to go before he regains top form.

He said in quotes published by nba.com: “I was still very sloppy.

“I’m not used to the pace (like) before I got hurt. I’ve just got to get used to that pace.”

Scotty Pippen Jr. led the way for the Grizzlies after taking 24 points, while GG Jackson and Jordan Goodwin added a further 17 and 15 respectively.

The 76ers are back in action against the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday, while the Grizzlies host the same opposition two days later.