Nikola Jokic claimed his 14th triple-double of the season as the Denver Nuggets spoiled Doc Rivers’ debut as head coach for the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Serbian centre finished with 25 points, 16 rebounds and 12 assists in the 113-107 victory.
His 119th triple-double in regular season matches is the fourth-highest in NBA history.
Rivers has taken over at the Bucks after the club fired first-year coach Adrian Griffin on 23 January.
The Bucks, went 2-1 under interim coach Joe Prunty before Rivers’ opening game in charge were led by 29 points from Giannis Antetokounmpo, while Damian Lillard finished with 18 points. Jamal Murray had 35 for the winners.
Despite the loss, Rivers was encouraged by Milwaukee’s performance.
“Overall I was very happy,” he said. “That fight is there. That’s something really encouraging moving forward.”
