Nikola Jokic orchestrated a triple-double spectacle with 27 points, 22 rebounds, and 12 assists, guiding the Denver Nuggets (34-16) to a 120-108 victory over the short-handed Portland Trail Blazers (15-34) on Friday night.
Jamal Murray contributed significantly, narrowly missing a triple-double with 13 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds, while Peyton Watson’s crucial 3-pointers in the fourth quarter helped secure the Nuggets’ victory. Watson finished with 14 points, 10 of which came in the decisive final quarter.
Aaron Gordon added 18 points, showcasing the Nuggets’ depth with seven players scoring in double figures.
On the opposing side, the short-handed Trail Blazers felt the absence of key scorers, with Scoot Henderson’s 30 points and Anfernee Simons’ 29 not sufficient to overcome Denver’s well-rounded performance.
Missing Jerami Grant due to lower back tightness and Shaedon Sharpe with a lower abdominal strain, the Blazers struggled to match the Nuggets’ firepower.
