Jokic leads the Nuggets to a 122-103 win over the Jazz

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Nikola Jokic had 30 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists to lead the Denver Nuggets to a 122-103 victory over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night.

Jokic scored 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting in the first quarter alone to rally Denver from an early 12-point deficit.

Jamal Murray added 22 points, eight assists and four steals for the Nuggets. Michael Porter Jr. had 19 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Christian Braun finished with 18 points and seven boards.

Collin Sexton led the Jazz with 26 points. Keyonte George scored 23, including five 3-pointers. Walker Kessler chipped in with 16 points, 12 rebounds and five assists.

Utah played without injured starters Lauri Markkanen and John Collins.

Denver broke open a close game behind a 21-4 run extending from the middle of the second quarter into the third. With three baskets apiece, Murray and Porter fueled the spurt, which gave the Nuggets a 70-53 lead.

Utah trailed by double digits the rest of the way.

Nuggets: Jokic proved too much for the shorthanded Jazz to handle. His efficient offense helped Denver turn a sluggish start into a blowout victory.

Jazz: Micah Potter and Svi Mykhailiuk made their first starts of the season. They combined for 16 points, and Potter grabbed a career-high 16 rebounds.

After George tied it on a 3-pointer midway through the second quarter, the Nuggets held the Jazz to two baskets during an eight-minute stretch spanning the second and third quarters.

Denver scored 28 points off 18 Utah turnovers. Takeaways also helped the Nuggets tally 33 fast-break points.

The Nuggets play at the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, while the Jazz host the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday.

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Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (3) shoots as Denver Nuggets center DeAndre Jordan (6) and guard Julian Strawther, right, defend, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)

Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) takes the ball to the basket against Jazz guard Keyonte George and Jazz forward Drew Eubanks during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)

Denver Nuggets forward Hunter Tyson (5) and Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton, middle, go for a loose ball, as Denver Nuggets guard Julian Strawther (3) looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)

Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton, middle, go for a loose ball, as Denver Nuggets guard Julian Strawther (3) looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) shoots as Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)

Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun is guarded by, Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)

Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun looks to pass as Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton, middle, and Utah Jazz forward Drew Eubanks, right, defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) gets past Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (3) as he goes to the hoop, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) controls the ball as Utah Jazz forward Brice Sensabaugh (28) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s central bank on Thursday lowered its key policy rate for the second straight month and said the country’s economy will grow at a slower pace than it initially anticipated.

Following a meeting of its monetary policymakers, the Bank of Korea cut its benchmark interest rate by a quarter percentage point to 3%. The bank lowered its outlook for the country’s economic growth from 2.4% to 2.2% for 2024 and from 2.1% to 1.9% for 2025.

It was the second straight month that the bank took steps to lower borrowing costs and expand money supply, despite the lingering effects of high inflation and alarming levels of household debt, as concerns grow about a faltering economy.

The bank had also slashed its policy rate by a quarter percentage point to 3.25% in October, which presented its first rate cut since May 2020, when the economy was grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The bank said the country’s trade-dependent economy is facing growing uncertainties in global economic trends and inflation, which it said could be impacted by the policies of the new U.S. government led by Donald Trump and ongoing geopolitical conflicts.

Since winning reelection, Trump has vowed to slap huge new tariffs on foreign products entering the United States, including those from Mexico, Canada and China, which he insists will create more domestic jobs and shrink the federal deficit.

The Bank of Korea said South Korea’s economy has been losing its growth momentum amid weak domestic consumption, slowing exports and decreasing employment.

“Going forward, domestic consumption will see a mild recovery, but the recovery in exports is likely to be weaker than initially anticipated due to intensifying competition and strengthening of protectionist trade policies in key industries,” the bank said in a statement.

People walk by sale signs on the shopping street in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024.(AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

People walk on the shopping street in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024.(AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Bank of Korea Gov. Rhee Chang-yong speaks during a press conference at the central bank in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Bank of Korea Gov. Rhee Chang-yong speaks during a press conference at the central bank in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Bank of Korea Gov. Rhee Chang-yong speaks during a press conference at the central bank in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Bank of Korea Gov. Rhee Chang-yong arrives to hold a press conference at the central bank in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Bank of Korea Gov. Rhee Chang-yong speaks during a press conference at the central bank in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

FILE - People pass by the headquarters of the Bank of Korea in Seoul, South Korea, Oct. 16, 2019. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon, File)