MEXICO CITY, MEXICO — Nikola Jokić turned an NBA regular-season game into a celebration of international basketball Saturday night, delivering another commanding all-around performance as the Denver Nuggets defeated the Indiana Pacers 114–102 in front of a sold-out crowd of more than 20,000 at Arena CDMX.
The three-time NBA Most Valuable Player finished with 19 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists, narrowly missing another triple-double while helping Denver survive a furious second-half comeback attempt.
But the final score tells only part of the story.
Denver led by as many as 27 points before Indiana stormed back, eventually cutting the deficit to just seven midway through the fourth quarter.
The Nuggets responded with six consecutive points, restoring control and preventing one of the season’s more dramatic potential comebacks.
The victory improved Denver’s record to 5–3 and marked its fourth win in five games.
For Indiana, the defeat dropped the team to 3–7 and extended a difficult opening stretch of the 2026–27 NBA season.
And while the Pacers struggled to find consistency without injured All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton, one player clearly stole the spotlight.
Jokić.
From the opening quarter to the final buzzer, the Serbian superstar received enthusiastic support from a Mexican crowd that repeatedly greeted him with MVP chants.
The atmosphere offered another reminder of how far the NBA’s international appeal has expanded.
Jokić Gets MVP Chants as Mexico City Embraces the Nuggets Superstar
The crowd at Arena CDMX was electric even before the game began.
Although Indiana was designated the home team, Denver’s biggest star received some of the loudest cheers.
Supporters repeatedly chanted MVP as Jokić controlled the game with his trademark combination of scoring, rebounding and passing.
The Serbian center scored 10 of his 19 points in the opening quarter, immediately establishing himself as the dominant presence on the floor.
He also collected six rebounds and three assists during the first period.
By halftime, Denver had built a commanding 64–41 advantage.
Speaking to reporters afterward, Jokić praised the crowd’s enthusiasm and emphasized the importance of taking basketball to international audiences.
He also described Mexican fans as passionate and energetic.
The atmosphere was especially memorable because the game was staged during Mexico’s Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, celebrations.
For Jokić, the evening represented more than another victory.
It demonstrated the enormous global following that basketball and its biggest stars continue to attract.
Denver Builds a Massive 27-Point Lead Before Indiana Fights Back
The Nuggets controlled the opening half with disciplined defense and balanced scoring.
Denver led 27–19 after the first quarter and extended its advantage through a dominant second period.
A four-minute Indiana scoring drought allowed the Nuggets to produce a decisive 15–0 run.
Jamal Murray’s jumper pushed Denver ahead 64–37 late in the half, establishing the team’s largest lead at 27 points.
Indiana struggled to generate consistent offense.
Its shooting difficulties allowed Denver to dictate the tempo and capitalize on defensive stops.
By halftime, the Nuggets led by 23 points.
The game appeared to be heading toward a comfortable Denver victory.
But Indiana had other ideas.
The Pacers returned from the break with greater urgency, attacking the basket and improving their perimeter shooting.
Aaron Nesmith hit consecutive three-pointers during an aggressive third-quarter rally.
Indiana outscored Denver 37–26 in the period, cutting the deficit to 90–78 heading into the final quarter.
A game that once looked decided had suddenly become competitive again.
Pacers Cut the Lead to Seven, but Denver Refuses to Collapse
Indiana’s comeback attempt reached its most dangerous point with 7:26 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Jarace Walker connected on a three-pointer, bringing the Pacers within seven at 102–95.
It was a remarkable turnaround from their earlier 27-point deficit.
The Pacers had reduced the gap by 20 points and created genuine uncertainty about the outcome.
But Denver responded immediately.
The Nuggets scored six unanswered points, restoring a double-digit advantage.
Spencer Jones provided a crucial contribution near the basket after receiving a pass from Murray.
The play helped settle Denver’s offense and interrupted Indiana’s momentum.
From there, the Nuggets maintained enough control to finish with a 12-point victory.
The game revealed both Denver’s strengths and areas requiring improvement.
Its first-half performance demonstrated the team’s ability to dominate with defense and balanced scoring.
Its second-half struggles showed how quickly a large NBA lead can become vulnerable.
For a team with championship ambitions, the challenge is turning strong stretches into more consistent performances across all four quarters.
Jokić Falls Just Two Assists Short of Another Triple-Double
Jokić’s final statistics were impressive even by his extraordinary standards.
He recorded 19 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists, along with a steal and a blocked shot.
The performance came just days after he registered his 201st career triple-double against the Toronto Raptors.
In that earlier contest, he posted 32 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists in Denver’s 128–109 victory.
The milestone moved him closer to Russell Westbrook’s NBA career triple-double record.
Against Indiana, Jokić did not need to reach double figures in assists to influence the outcome.
He controlled possessions, found teammates in scoring positions and remained an effective rebounder.
His ability to contribute across multiple categories makes him particularly valuable even when he is not Denver’s leading scorer.
The performance also represented a notable improvement from Denver’s difficult October 22 defeat against Oklahoma City.
In that game, Jokić scored just 13 points on 5-of-19 shooting as the Thunder beat the Nuggets 96–84.
As WWC ONE MEDIA previously reported in its coverage of Oklahoma City’s victory over Denver, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s own scoring struggles were overshadowed by an effective team defensive performance.
Denver’s latest victory offered a contrasting picture.
Instead of depending entirely on Jokić’s scoring, the Nuggets received contributions throughout their rotation.
That balance could become important as the season progresses.
Cameron Johnson and Jamal Murray Deliver Crucial Support
Denver’s victory was not a one-man performance.
Cameron Johnson added 18 points, shooting an efficient eight of 12 from the field.
His scoring helped spread Indiana’s defensive attention beyond Jokić.
Murray finished with 16 points and eight assists, giving Denver another reliable playmaker.
His contributions were especially important when the Pacers threatened to overturn the lead.
The Nuggets also benefited from the return of Spencer Jones.
Making his season debut after missing the opening seven games with a hamstring injury, Jones scored 13 points.
He shot five of six from the field and made all three of his attempts from beyond the arc.
Jones also grabbed six rebounds in 21 minutes.
Denver outscored Indiana by 14 points during his time on the court, the best plus-minus figure among Nuggets players in the game.
Marvin Bagley III contributed 10 points and three rebounds in just 11 minutes.
All 11 Nuggets players who appeared in the game scored, highlighting the balance of Denver’s rotation.
The team also made 16 of 19 free throws, compared with Indiana’s five successful attempts from seven opportunities.
Those additional points at the foul line helped Denver protect its advantage.
The performance suggested that the Nuggets can win through collective production rather than relying exclusively on extraordinary individual statistics from Jokić.
Pascal Siakam Reaches Major NBA Milestone Despite Pacers’ Defeat
While Indiana left Mexico City disappointed, Pascal Siakam delivered another strong individual performance.
The veteran forward scored a team-high 23 points.
The game also marked his 700th NBA regular-season appearance.
During the contest, Siakam surpassed 13,000 career points, adding another milestone to his professional basketball journey.
The achievement reflects a career that has included an NBA championship with Toronto and multiple seasons as an established offensive leader.
But Siakam’s scoring was not enough to overcome Denver.
The Pacers struggled in the first half before finding their rhythm after the break.
Larry Nance Jr. contributed 15 points off the bench, connecting on five three-pointers to tie his career best.
Ivica Zubac recorded 10 points and 12 rebounds.
Despite those contributions, Indiana could not complete its comeback.
The team’s slow start ultimately proved too costly.
Tyrese Haliburton’s Absence Continues to Hurt Indiana
One of the biggest factors surrounding the matchup was the absence of Tyrese Haliburton.
The Pacers’ All-Star guard missed the trip because of a left hamstring strain.
His injury removed an important source of playmaking, perimeter shooting and offensive organization.
Indiana entered the game struggling to find consistent results early in the season.
Without Haliburton, the team had to rely more heavily on Siakam and other players to generate offense.
Its second-half rally demonstrated that Indiana still possesses competitive attacking talent.
But the first-half scoring drought highlighted the difficulties that can arise without its primary offensive organizer.
The Pacers’ record fell to 3–7 following the defeat.
They have now lost six of their opening 10 games and face pressure to improve before their early-season struggles become more significant.
Their next opportunity comes against the Dallas Mavericks.
The broader challenge is finding a sustainable offensive identity while key players recover from injuries.
Mexico City Hosts Its 35th NBA Game
The Denver–Indiana matchup was also a milestone for the NBA’s international expansion.
It marked the league’s 35th game in Mexico, including 16 regular-season contests and 19 preseason games.
Mexico has hosted more NBA games than any country outside the United States and Canada.
The November 7 game was staged at Arena CDMX as part of the league’s continuing effort to build relationships with Mexican basketball supporters.
The matchup also coincided with Day of the Dead celebrations, contributing to the distinctive atmosphere.
Former NBA players Nenê, Greivis Vásquez, Horacio Llamas and Danilo Gallinari were recognized during the event.
Llamas holds a special place in Mexican basketball history as the first Mexican-born player to compete in the NBA.
The ceremonies highlighted the connections between the league and its international basketball community.
For Denver, Saturday’s victory also maintained its unbeaten record in regular-season international games, improving that mark to 2–0.
The Nuggets had previously played an NBA preseason game in Monterrey in 2006.
Their first Mexico City appearance ultimately became a memorable occasion for both the team and its superstar center.
Why the NBA Keeps Returning to Mexico
Mexico represents an important market for professional basketball.
Its geographical proximity to the United States, large population and established NBA fanbase make it particularly attractive for international events.
Regular-season games provide opportunities for fans to watch NBA stars without travelling to American arenas.
They also create additional commercial opportunities involving sponsorships, merchandise, broadcasting and fan engagement.
The NBA has spent years expanding its global presence through international games, digital media and player development initiatives.
Mexico City is one part of that strategy.
Other markets include Europe and Asia, where basketball continues to attract substantial audiences.
The international popularity of stars such as Jokić demonstrates why those investments matter.
An athlete from Serbia can become the central attraction at an NBA game in Mexico, reflecting basketball’s increasingly global identity.
That growth is also visible across other professional basketball organizations.
As WWC ONE MEDIA reported in its analysis of the WNBA’s major leadership transition and commercial expansion, professional basketball is experiencing substantial changes in its international audience, business models and long-term commercial ambitions.
The Denver–Indiana game offered another example of the NBA’s ability to bring together fans from different countries around elite basketball competition.
What Denver’s Victory Means for the Western Conference Race
The Nuggets’ latest victory improved their record to 5–3.
After losing their season opener against Oklahoma City, Denver has shown encouraging signs of improvement.
Winning four of five games suggests the team is beginning to develop greater consistency.
Jokić remains the central figure.
But performances from Johnson, Murray, Jones and Bagley indicate that Denver possesses other contributors capable of influencing games.
That will matter in a competitive Western Conference.
The Oklahoma City Thunder remain one of the teams Denver must measure itself against.
As previously highlighted by WWC ONE MEDIA in its report on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Oklahoma City’s determined start to the season, the Thunder are pursuing another championship run after falling short in the previous postseason.
Denver’s defeat to Oklahoma City in October also demonstrated that the Nuggets still have areas to improve.
The Mexico City victory was encouraging, but a single game against a struggling Indiana team cannot establish Denver as a championship favorite.
The Nuggets must demonstrate that they can maintain their defensive intensity and handle stronger opponents over a longer stretch of the season.
Their next test comes against the Houston Rockets.
Can Indiana Recover Before Its Season Slips Away?
The Pacers face a different challenge.
Their 3–7 record leaves them searching for stability early in the campaign.
The absence of Haliburton has complicated their offensive rhythm.
However, the comeback against Denver offered evidence of resilience.
Indiana outscored the Nuggets 37–26 in the third quarter and nearly erased a massive deficit.
The problem is that competitive second halves cannot consistently compensate for disastrous starts.
The Pacers must improve their offensive execution from the opening tip.
They also need more dependable production from players beyond Siakam.
Their roster has undergone changes entering the season, and new combinations may require time to develop.
As WWC ONE MEDIA previously covered in its report on the New Orleans Pelicans’ decision to retain young players ahead of their season opener against Indiana, NBA teams must constantly balance roster development, injuries and competitive expectations.
Indiana’s next games will reveal whether its Mexico City rally was the beginning of improvement or merely a brief bright spot in a difficult start.
What’s Next for the Nuggets and Pacers?
Both teams return to the United States for their next scheduled games on Monday, November 9.
Denver travels to Houston to face the Rockets.
Indiana heads to Dallas to meet the Mavericks.
For the Nuggets, the objective will be building on their fourth victory in five games.
For the Pacers, the priority is ending their losing stretch and developing greater consistency.
Jokić’s performance will continue drawing attention, especially as he approaches Westbrook’s all-time triple-double record.
But Denver’s larger ambitions will depend on the entire rotation.
Saturday’s game demonstrated why.
The Nuggets built their lead through team defense and balanced scoring, then needed timely contributions from supporting players to withstand Indiana’s comeback attempt.
The result was a victory that exposed both the team’s potential and its vulnerabilities.
The Bottom Line: Jokić Wins Over Mexico, but Denver’s Biggest Tests Are Still Ahead
Nikola Jokić did not deliver another triple-double in Mexico City.
He did not need one.
The three-time MVP contributed 19 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists as the Nuggets defeated the Pacers 114–102 in front of more than 20,000 enthusiastic fans.
Denver led by as many as 27 points before Indiana reduced the deficit to seven.
But the Nuggets responded at the decisive moment to secure their fifth victory of the season.
Cameron Johnson, Jamal Murray and Spencer Jones provided important support.
Pascal Siakam reached a major career milestone but could not prevent Indiana from falling to 3–7.
For the NBA, the game was another successful showcase of international basketball.
For Denver, it was a reminder that championship ambitions require more than individual brilliance.
And for Jokić, the evening offered another opportunity to demonstrate why his influence extends far beyond scoring.
But as the Nuggets build momentum and Jokić closes in on another historic NBA record, one question remains: Is Denver finally developing the supporting cast needed for a serious championship run—or will its inability to protect big leads become the weakness that derails its season?
