Nikola Jokic delivered a career-best performance with 56 points, yet the Denver Nuggets fell short against the Washington Wizards, losing 122-113 on Saturday. The defeat extended Denver’s struggles in recent weeks, while Washington snapped its 16-game losing streak.
Jokic’s 56 points came on an impressive 22-of-38 shooting, accompanied by 16 rebounds and eight assists. Despite his dominance, Denver’s shorthanded roster, missing Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, and Dario Saric, could not provide the necessary support. Jokic also set a career high in field goal attempts.
The Wizards, led by Jordan Poole’s 39 points, found answers to Jokic’s individual brilliance. Poole connected on a career-high nine three-pointers, helping Washington offset Jokic’s remarkable output. The team collectively hit 16 shots from beyond the arc, while Denver managed only five.
Washington led 69-57 at halftime, fueled by Poole’s scoring and Justin Champagnie’s contributions. Champagnie recorded a career-high 23 points. Jonas Valanciunas added 20 points and 12 rebounds for the Wizards, solidifying their interior presence.
In the third quarter, Jokic scored 23 points to narrow the gap, but the Wizards maintained their composure. Denver briefly reduced the deficit to single digits in the fourth quarter, but Washington’s balanced attack and timely stops prevented a comeback.
The loss dropped Denver to 11-10 on the season, marking a challenging stretch for the team. Denver’s reliance on Jokic was evident as other starters, including Michael Porter Jr. and Russell Westbrook, struggled to find rhythm offensively.
The Wizards improved to 3-18, ending their 16-game skid that tied a franchise record. The victory highlighted Washington’s resilience despite missing key players like Kyle Kuzma and rookie Alex Sarr due to injuries.
Denver’s bench offered some bright spots, with Julian Strawther scoring 18 points in 32 minutes. However, the team’s 20.8% shooting from three-point range underscored their offensive inefficiency.
