Nikola Jokic scored a 25-point triple double as the Denver Nuggets handed new Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers a 113-107 defeat on Monday, Jan. 29, in his first game in charge.

Nikola Jokic scored a 25-point triple double as the Denver Nuggets handed new Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers a 113-107 defeat on Monday, Jan. 29, in his first game in charge.

He was given scoring support from Jamal Murray, who led with a game-high 35 points.

The Bucks, who appointed Rivers last week following the shock sacking of Adrian Griffin, were led by 29 points from Giannis Antetokounmpo while Damian Lillard finished with 18 points.

In the top-of-the-table clash in the Western Conference, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 37-point display was in vain as the Oklahoma City Thunder fell 107-101 to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The two sides went into Monday’s game with identical 32-14 records having spent most of the season battling it out for first place in the West.

That sense of rivalry was on full display in a game that swung back and forth with 24 lead changes before Minnesota pulled away in the closing stages, outscoring the Thunder 34-24 in the fourth quarter.

“We did a really good job of finishing this game, which we haven’t been doing recently,” Minnesota head coach Chris Finch said. “Hopefully we can build on it.”

Anthony Edwards topped the Wolves scoring with 27 points while Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 21. All five Minnesota starters finished in double digits.

Elsewhere on Monday, the Boston Celtics bounced back from their blowout defeat to the Los Angeles Clippers with a battling 118-112 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.

The Eastern Conference-leading Celtics improved to 36-11 for the season courtesy of 28 points from Jayson Tatum, with Jaylen Brown adding 22 and Jrue Holiday 20.