The Denver Nuggets defeated the New Orleans Pelicans, 116-105, at Smoothie King Center on Friday night.

The Nuggets (27-21) opened the game with a hot hand, taking a 26-17 lead through one. The Pelicans (18-30) bounced back in the second quarter to knock seven points from their deficit going into halftime, but Denver was up again by eight entering the final period and the advantage held up comfortably the rest of the way.

Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with a 29-point, 13-rebound, 10-assist triple-double that included two steals. Aaron Gordon tallied 20 points, four rebounds, two assists and one steal. Bryn Forbes poured in 14 points, while Monte Morris provided 13 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and one block. Austin Rivers chipped in 12 points and three assists among his contributions.

Herbert Jones paced the Pelicans with 19 points, supplementing them with seven rebounds, three assists and five steals. Willy Hernangomez generated an 18-point, 16-rebound double-double that included three assists, three blocks and one steal. Nickeil Alexander-Walker matched Hernangomez's scoring total and complemented it with four assists, three rebounds and one block. Josh Hart furnished 16 points, eight boards, two assists and one steal. Devonte' Graham and Jaxson Hayes netted 15 and 13 points, respectively, while pulling down three rebounds each. Graham also dished out five assists.

The Nuggets remain on the road and visit the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday night, while the Pelicans remain home and host the Boston Celtics on Saturday night.