Amid a shaky stretch, Nikola Jokic once again led the way as the Denver Nuggets strengthened their NBA playoff bid with a momentum-sparking 128–112 victory over the red-hot Portland Trail Blazers on Monday.
Aside from Jokic’s stuffed stat sheet, the match also saw the return of Nuggets wing Peyton Watson, who made an instant impact with 14 points despite seeing only 20 minutes in his return from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for 19 games.
“It feels good… This altitude got to me tonight. I was tired as hell, but we pulled through, we got the W,” Watson said postgame.
Jokic Posts Triple-Double as Seven Nuggets Score Double Figures
Nikola Jokic is still solidifying his case for MVP this late in the season, as the Serbian big man dropped his 35th triple-double of the year with 22 points, 14 rebounds, and 14 assists, marking his 35th this season and leading the NBA.
His running mate Jamal Murray also logged 22 points, to go along with 7 assists. The long-time duo led five other Nuggets in double-digit scoring en route to their 44th win of the year.
The match also marked the first time since November that the entire Nuggets roster was clear of the injury list, as Jonas Valančiūnas was the only player to log a DNP, albeit by coach’s decision.
Deni Avdija and Donovan Clingan’s Double-Doubles Lead Trail Blazers
Despite the loss, Trail Blazers star Deni Avdija remained his All-Star self, as he paced Portland with a double-double of 23 points and 14 assists, while Donovan Clingan chipped in 18 points and 13 rebounds.
The Blazers are set to make their first postseason appearance since 2021, as they currently hold the 9th seed with a 35–37 record and are only half a game behind the Los Angeles Clippers for the 8th spot.
The Nuggets will look to extend their winning streak when they face the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday, while Portland will look to bounce back tomorrow against the Brooklyn Nets.
