Nikola Jokic addressed his recent left ankle injury following a stellar performance in his return to the court. The Denver Nuggets star revealed that the decision to sit out five games was based on his inability to play at full strength.
“It was just smart. I couldn’t really jump on my left leg. So it was really painful, and it was just better to feel good,” Jokic said postgame, per Bennett Durando. He added that while he still feels discomfort, the pain has significantly decreased.
Despite missing time, Jokic wasted no time reestablishing his dominance. He posted a 39-point triple-double, leading Denver to a 127-117 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night. It marked his league-leading 30th triple-double of the season.
The Nuggets (46-28) capitalized on Milwaukee’s depleted lineup. Michael Porter Jr. contributed 23 points, hitting his first six shots, while Christian Braun added 19 points and played a pivotal role in Denver’s second-half surge.
Milwaukee (40-32) played without Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, both sidelined due to injuries. Brook Lopez stepped up with 26 points, marking his third straight 20-point performance, while Gary Trent Jr. and AJ Green added key contributions off the bench.
The Bucks briefly led 88-83 in the third quarter, but Denver responded with a decisive 13-1 run. Braun’s three-pointer capped the momentum shift, helping the Nuggets pull away.
Denver shot 54.4% from the field and matched Milwaukee’s 16 made threes, while also securing a 46-39 rebounding edge. The victory keeps the Nuggets in third place in the Western Conference, while the Bucks, who have lost seven of their last 11 games, remain sixth in the East.
