The Denver Nuggets (46-28) remained in control during a tough fourth quarter and returned to the win column with a 127-117 win over the undermanned Milwaukee Bucks (40-32) on March 27.
Denver Nuggets Top Performers:
Nikola Jokic 39 PTS | 10 REB | 10 AST | 63.0 FPS
Jokic made a strong return after missing the last five games due to an ankle issue, immediately resuming his elite level of play and recording his 30th triple-double this season, becoming just the fourth player in NBA history to reach the mark alongside Wilt Chamberlain, Oscar Robertson, and teammate Russell Westbrook. The only negatives were his slight inefficiency at the free-throw line and a lack of defensive stats. With the team having already secured their postseason spot, it wouldn’t be surprising if he sits out a few games, so it’s crucial to keep an eye on his status moving forward.
Christian Braun 19 PTS | 10 REB | 6 AST | 46.0 FPS
Braun has been dealing with a foot issue, which has led to a recent downtick in his production. However, he has shown positive signs in his last two games—logging heavy minutes, nearly reaching 20 points in both contests, and posting improved overall numbers. He should be able to build on this performance in the coming games.
Michael Porter Jr. 23 PTS | 10 REB | 3 STL | 48.0 FPS
MPJ was questionable for this game due to a back problem but he took the court and delivered a highly efficient shooting performance, going 6-for-8 from three. This marked his fourth 20-point outing this month after failing to reach that mark in his previous four games. While he’s unlikely to repeat this level of performance, it’s still a positive sign after struggling for most of the month, including a 1-for-10 showing in his last game. On top of that, he made a noticeable impact across multiple areas and should remain productive, barring any setbacks.
Jamal Murray 17 PTS | 4 REB | 6 AST | 33.8 FPS
Murray has been red-hot, averaging nearly 35 points over his last two outings. However, he struggled badly today, shooting just 1-for-7 from three. This inconsistency has become a recurring theme this month, with at least one subpar scoring performance in every three games. Despite that, he has stayed relevant by maintaining good contributions in rebounds and assists.
Peyton Watson 12 PTS | 7 REB | 3 BLK | 32.4 FPS
Watson retreated to the bench today with several starters back in the lineup, but his recent strong play has kept him a big part of the rotation. Over his last six games, he’s posted double-digit points five times while also putting up strong shot-blocking performances. He’s not a must-add just yet—especially with only one game remaining this week. However, he should be in line for a bigger role and performances next week.
Milwaukee Bucks Top Performers:
Brook Lopez 26 PTS | 7 REB | 3 BLK | 49.9 FPS
Lopez has seen a significant increase in playing time recently and has stepped up as the primary scoring option with several key players sidelined. He put on a dominant two-way performance today, with highly efficient scoring while also maintaining his solid defensive play. He has now scored 20+ points in three consecutive games and recorded at least two stocks in his last four. With the team fighting to maintain their position in the standings, he is poised to continue delivering strong performances.
Kevin Porter Jr. 12 PTS | 7 REB | 8 AST | 28.4 FPS
Porter was moved into the starting lineup today but couldn’t take full advantage with his continuing struggles in offense. But he remained impactful with his rebounding and playmaking production. He’s a capable triple-double threat as a starter and should maintain this level of production as long as Lillard is unavailable.
Ryan Rollins 17 PTS | 3 AST | 2 STL | 28.7 FPS
Rollins started the last three games in place of the unavailable Lillard but returned to the bench today, with Porter Jr. taking over the starting role. While he posted a solid all-around stat line in his first start, he hasn’t matched that level of performance since. However, he delivered a much stronger performance today, stepping up in the fourth quarter.
AJ Green 15 PTS | 5 REB | 5 AST | 26.5 FPS
Green has snapped out of his shooting struggles, going 5-for-9 from three today, while also showing improvement in other areas of his game. However, his inconsistent performance continues to make him a challenging player to roster.
Gary Trent Jr. 16 PTS | 4 3PM | 4 REB | 19.8 FPS
Trent stepped into the starting lineup today with the team missing a pair of stars. While he posted good numbers in scoring and rebounding, his impact was empty in other areas. Nevertheless, he should retain his starting role for now. He should also remain a valuable option for threes and steals.
Biggest Disappointment of the Game:
Kyle Kuzma 10 PTS | 7 REB | 2 BLK
Kuzma should have been a bigger factor in the scoring column today, especially with both Giannis and Lillard absent, but he struggled badly. While he attempted to make up for it with solid lines in other areas, his overall performance still fell short for a primary option. With difficult matches coming up, his scoring could stay stagnant.
