Nikola Jokic‘s dominant season continues Saturday night. The Denver Nuggets face a Sacramento Kings squad missing key starters. Jokic is currently averaging 29.1 points per game. This matchup looks like another opportunity for the Joker to put on a show.
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🔥 Quick Facts:
- Jokic averaging 29.2 PPG, 14.2 RPG, 11.0 APG in last 5 games vs Kings
- Sacramento missing Domantas Sabonis, Keegan Murray, and Zach LaVine
- Game time: Saturday, Nov 22 at 8:00 PM ET in Denver
- Nuggets are heavy favorites with 8.5-point spread per Vegas
- Jokic nearly 64% from field and shooting elite efficiency
Head-to-Head Dominance
Jokic owns this matchup. Over their career meetings, Jokic has averaged 20.9 points with 11.3 rebounds and 8.1 assists across 35 games. Thing is, recent performances tell the real story. In his last 5 games against Sacramento, Jokic is dropping 29.2 points per contest. He’s absolutely unstoppable right now.
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Just 11 days ago, Jokic posted 33 points against these same Kings. Before that on November 3rd, he torched them for 34 points with 14 assists in a 130-124 win. His shooting percentage stays consistently elite. Plus, he’s grabbing 14.2 rebounds per game in this season series. That’s the kind of dominance that defines elite-level play.
| Stat Category | Jokic Career | Last 5 vs Kings | 2025-26 Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Points Per Game | 20.9 | 29.2 | 29.1 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 11.3 | 14.2 | 13.2 |
| Assists Per Game | 8.1 | 11.0 | 11.1 |
| Field Goal % | TBA | 60%+ | 64.1% |
Sacramento’s Injury Crisis
This isn’t just any matchup for the Kings. Sacramento faces a serious roster crisis heading into Saturday. All-star center Domantas Sabonis suffered a partially torn meniscus and won’t be evaluated for 3 to 4 weeks. That’s a massive blow right there. But it doesn’t stop there. Forward Keegan Murray still hasn’t played this season due to a left thumb injury. Then add Zach LaVine to the absent list.
So basically, the Kings are missing three starters entering this game. That’s crippling for any team. Get this—reports indicate Sacramento’s defense has major problems anyway. Add injury-depleted rotations to existing issues, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster against Jokic. The backup options simply lack the skill or experience to handle one of basketball’s best players.
Why Saturday Favors Denver
Sportsbooks have this one easy. Vegas lists Denver as a 8.5-point favorite on the spread. That’s substantial but frankly feels conservative given the circumstances. Jokic is shooting 64.1% from the field while 85.7% from the line. He’s hitting a rhythm that’s tough to stop even with healthy opponents.
And here’s the thing—Sacramento just can’t guard him effectively. Without Sabonis providing interior defense and rim protection, the Kings’ big men must overextend. That opening gets exploited. Simple as that. Plus Jokic is also one of the league’s best passers now, so double teams create open looks elsewhere. It makes the Nuggets’ job easier across the board.
The Prediction
Statistics strongly favor Denver. Jokic should expect an easy night offensively. He’ll likely exceed 28 points comfortably. Vegas suggests this is a clear win situation, and rightfully so. The Nuggets control pace, Jokic dominates in the post, and Sacramento lacks the personnel to compete.
Expect Jokic to finish somewhere between 30-35 points while adding solid rebounding and assist numbers. A triple-double remains entirely possible. The Nuggets should win by double digits. For bettors, the spread feels right around current numbers. Jokic’s individual props will be the key interest here—he’s simply too good against this injured Kings squad.
What Happens If Denver Can’t Close?
This is an interesting question. Sacramento, despite missing starters, still has some athletes. If the Nuggets get complacent or face foul trouble, things could tighten slightly. But realistically? That’s a minor concern. Jokic’s presence alone prevents blowouts becoming losses. He’s nearly unstoppable one-on-one. Even a rusty performance from Jokic still likely results in a Nuggets victory.
The Kings would need near-perfect shooting to overcome the roster mismatch. And given their recent struggles, that seems unlikely Saturday night at Ball Arena. Look for Denver to control both halves. Jokic should feast inside while teammates benefit from defensive collapses around him.
Watch the Highlights
Want to see how dominant Jokic was recently against Sacramento? Check out his masterclass from November 11th:
Sources
- ESPN – Real-time season statistics and game information
- NBA Official – Game schedules and verified player injury reports
- StatMuse – Historical head-to-head matchup data and performance trends
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.