Nikola Jokic delivered a dominant 40-point performance as the Denver Nuggets (35-19) extended their winning streak to seven games with a 146-117 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers (23-31) on Monday night.
Christian Braun added a career-high 26 points, while Jamal Murray contributed 17 points and eight assists before being ejected early in the fourth quarter. Julian Strawther provided 18 points as Denver improved to 35-19 on the season.
The Nuggets, playing without Michael Porter Jr. for the second consecutive game due to hamstring tightness, shot 65.9% from the field, overwhelming a Portland defense that had held opponents to 44.2% shooting over its previous 12 games.
Denver built a 17-point lead in the first quarter and maintained a 70-55 advantage at halftime. The Trail Blazers cut the deficit to seven early in the third, but the Nuggets responded with a 14-3 run to regain control and took a 112-92 lead into the final period.
Portland, which had won 10 of its previous 12 games before suffering back-to-back losses, struggled to slow Denver’s offense. Rookie Donovan Clingan led the Trail Blazers with a career-high 21 points on a perfect 8-for-8 shooting night, while Dalano Banton added 22 points.
Deni Avdija and Anfernee Simons each scored 16 points for Portland, but the team was without Jerami Grant, Kris Murray, and Robert Williams III due to injuries. The absence of key contributors left the Blazers unable to match Denver’s firepower.
Jokic, recently named Western Conference Player of the Week for the third time this season, continued his stellar play, finishing with eight rebounds and eight assists alongside his 40 points.
Murray and Nuggets head coach Michael Malone received technical fouls early in the third quarter while arguing a no-call on Jokic. Later, Murray was ejected after exchanging words with Banton following a made free throw.
