Jamal Murray delivered a career performance with 55 points as the Denver Nuggets defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 132-121 on Wednesday night.
Murray shot 20-of-36 from the field, connecting on seven three-pointers to record the third-highest scoring game in franchise history. He trailed only David Thompson’s 73-point game in 1978 and Nikola Jokic’s 56-point outing earlier this season.
Jokic secured his 25th triple-double of the season, finishing with 26 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists. The two-time MVP put up his numbers on Serbian Heritage Night, where the Nuggets honored him with a bobblehead giveaway.
Denver (36-19) controlled most of the game, building a 23-point lead before Portland cut the deficit to single digits late in the fourth quarter. The Nuggets, currently third in the Western Conference, extended their winning streak to eight games.
Anfernee Simons led the Trail Blazers (23-32) with 26 points, while rookie center Donovan Clingan contributed 17 points and 20 rebounds. Portland was short-handed, missing Deandre Ayton, Scoot Henderson, and Jerami Grant due to injuries.
The Nuggets were also without key players, as Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, Peyton Watson, and Russell Westbrook sat out. Zeke Nnaji stepped up in their absence, tallying 16 points, five rebounds, and four blocks.
Christian Braun added 21 points and 10 rebounds for Denver, making a significant impact on both ends of the floor. Julian Strawther chipped in 11 points while Jalen Pickett, DeAndre Jordan, and Dario Saric combined for five off the bench.
The Trail Blazers got a strong effort from Shaedon Sharpe and Jabari Walker, who scored 14 and 17 points, respectively. Portland shot 45.7% from the field but struggled to contain Denver’s offense, which hit 51% of its shots and made 15 three-pointers.
Denver finished the game with seven blocks, led by Nnaji’s four, and won the rebounding battle 49-45. Jokic’s playmaking helped the Nuggets register 26 assists while limiting Portland to 27.
The Trail Blazers will look to regroup as they continue a tough stretch without key players. Ayton’s calf strain will be re-evaluated in a month, while Henderson and Grant remain day-to-day.
