Nikola Jokic has been on another level for the last five games.

In a back-and-forth affair vs the Sacramento Kings, the Denver Nuggets ultimately earned a 122-108 victory with a strong close by the bench unit and some nail-in-the-coffin threes by the closing group. The Nuggets’ defense found its stride throughout the game, giving Denver’s offense breathing room to make the right plays in the right moments.

But it was Jokic who helped Denver get off the ground. The Serbian center had a dominant showing with 35 points on 16-of-19 from the field. He missed just three shots the entire night (and a heave that counted against the team) and was absolutely spectacular in so many ways. The shooting touch was on full display, getting to his floater, turning around with hook shots, and even hitting one of those aforementioned threes late in the game to close the door on the Kings.

Jokic added 15 rebounds and seven assists to the tally. It was another game where he could’ve had closer to 12 to 15 assists, but the Nuggets will of course settle for the win. Jokic’s control of the game was sublime, and his final assist was a no-look dime to Bruce Brown for a corner three that ended the game in style.

Joining Jokic in the fourth quarter was Jamal Murray, who had been having an up-and-down night with some missed open shots and turnovers. Murray got back in control though, putting up a quick 10 points that included two valuable three-pointers in the halfcourt.

Murray finished the game with 23 points, eight assists, and three rebounds, shooting 7-of-15 from the field, 4-of-9 from three, and 5-of-5 from the line. Performances like this one have become the new baseline for Murray, who’s playing well in both minutes with the starters and second unit.

Aaron Gordon had a strong first half with some impressive buckets in the post and off-the-dribble. He also got to the free throw line early and ended up with 18 points, seven rebounds, and three assists, tying for the team lead in plus-minus at +18.

Denver didn’t need much more with their top three players combining for 71 points as efficiently as they did. Still, they got double-digit performances from Bruce Brown and Jonas Valanciunas off the bench.

Brown was great throughout, maintaining pressure on the rim offensively with drives, cuts, and offensive rebounds. He had a pick-six steal that led to a Kings timeout midway through the fourth quarter. That earned him the close, and he drained the aforementioned late three off the Jokic dime to get to 14 points, seven rebounds, an assist, and two steals on the night.

Valanciunas started the game slow and was 1-of-6 in the first half after missing some tough turnarounds and putbacks under pressure by the Kings. He calmed down in the second half though getting a couple baskets and free throws, attacking the offensive glass, and still somehow getting to 10 points and seven rebounds on the night. He’s been insanely productive, as I’ve discussed before.

Overall, this was a strong win for the Nuggets. The Kings are 3-8, but they were at home and have aspirations of playoff basketball. The pressure was on to get a win, and the Nuggets dispelled any notions of that in the fourth quarter.

Speaking of aspirations, the Nuggets play the Los Angeles Clippers on the second night of a back-to-back tonight. Denver will probably rest a starter or two after winning their fifth game in a row. They’ve earned the right to be conservative with their minutes so early in the season.