Nikola Jokic records his 200th triple-double as Denver beats winless New Orleans

Nikola Jokic had 21 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists on Wednesday night for the 200th regular-season triple-double of his career, and the Denver Nuggets beat the New Orleans Pelicans 104-91.

Jokic needs 10 more to pass Russell Westbrook, who retired after last season, for the most in NBA history, according to the Associated Press. He got this one in 34 minutes on 8-of-13 shooting, and he made all five of his free throws.

Denver never trailed. Jamal Murray made his first three shots, all 3-pointers, and the Nuggets shot 62% in the first quarter to lead 37-18, the AP said. Marvin Bagley III's runner made it 44-22 with about nine minutes left in the second quarter, Denver's biggest lead.

New Orleans cut into it after halftime. Zion Williamson scored 25 points on 10-of-14 shooting, and his 3-pointer in the fourth quarter pulled the Pelicans within 88-83. Murray answered with a 3 and a driving finger roll to push the lead back to 10, and Denver closed it out from there.

Murray finished with 23 points, five 3-pointers and six assists. Aaron Gordon had 15 points and 11 rebounds, Christian Braun scored 15 with three steals, and Trevon Brazile added 11 points and eight rebounds. Denver used only nine players. Cam Johnson (ankle) and Alpha Diallo (sprained wrist) sat out, and Julian Strawther and Spencer Jones remain out, according to the AP.

For New Orleans, Derik Queen had 11 points and 12 rebounds, and Jeremiah Fears scored 11 on 5-of-14 shooting. The Pelicans went 7 of 30 from 3-point range and turned the ball over 19 times, the ESPN box score shows. Trey Murphy III scored six points on 2-of-7 shooting.

The win finished a two-game, home-and-home sweep. On Saturday in Denver, the Nuggets came back from 23 points down to beat New Orleans. This time they ran away early. Denver is 2-2. New Orleans is 0-4 under first-year coach Jamahl Mosley.

The Nuggets open NBA Cup group play at Phoenix on Friday night. The Pelicans host Sacramento on Thursday night.