Nikola Jokic and Russell Westbrook made history once again, delivering dominant performances as the Denver Nuggets secured a 124-105 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night.
Jokic, in his return after a two-game absence due to illness, recorded 35 points, 15 assists, and 12 rebounds, marking his 145th career triple-double.
Westbrook added his 202nd career triple-double with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists, further solidifying his record as the NBA’s all-time leader in triple-doubles.
This was the second time this season that Jokic and Westbrook have both achieved triple-doubles in the same game. According to the NBA, they are the first teammates in league history to accomplish this feat multiple times in a single season.
Denver, now 22-15, built a commanding lead with a late second-quarter run and a 25-9 third-quarter surge that pushed the score to 90-68. The Nets briefly narrowed the gap to 97-92, but the Nuggets responded with a decisive push to secure the win.
Brooklyn, struggling with injuries and depth, dropped their fourth straight game and 12th in their last 15 outings. The team played with a short roster for the second consecutive game, though Ben Simmons returned after a four-game absence, contributing 10 points and six assists. Keon Johnson led the Nets with 22 points, and Tyrese Martin added 19 off the bench.
Denver saw contributions from across the roster. Michael Porter Jr. scored 17 points, while Peyton Watson added 10 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. The Nuggets also dominated the boards, outrebounding Brooklyn 49-39 and shooting an efficient 51.7% from the field.
Jamal Murray, however, exited the game at halftime due to right knee soreness. His status will be monitored ahead of Denver’s next matchup.
The Nets, playing without key contributors like Cam Johnson and D’Angelo Russell, struggled offensively, shooting just 31.1% from three-point range. Nic Claxton added 10 points and six rebounds, while Simmons’ return gave Brooklyn a slight boost, though it wasn’t enough to halt their skid.
Denver’s defensive effort stood out, forcing 17 Brooklyn turnovers and recording 12 steals. Jokic’s performance further cemented his MVP-caliber season, where he leads the league in scoring at 31.5 points per game.
