Nuggets star shines as Blazers cooled in Denver

Daniel Adebanji
Daniel Adebanji - Sports Writer, Sports Journalist
2 Min Read

Nikola Jokic delivered another masterclass as the Denver Nuggets ended Portland’s winning streak in a record-setting clash, Yankee Scores reports.

 

Jokic leads the charge

Nikola Jokic recorded his 35th triple-double of the season as Denver eased past Portland 128-112 on Sunday. The Serbian centre finished with 22 points, 14 rebounds and 14 assists, while Jamal Murray matched his tally with 22 points.

Cam Johnson added 19 points, and Peyton Watson marked his return from injury with 14 in just under 20 minutes. Watson, sidelined since February 4 with a hamstring problem, was praised by coach David Adelman as a “high-level wing defender” whose minutes will be restricted as he works back into the rotation.

Portland Trail Blazer forward Dani Avdija drives the lane as Denver Nuggets forward Cameron Johnson defends. Credit: AP Photo/ David Zalubowski

Blazers’ streak snapped

Portland arrived in Denver riding a three-game road winning streak, but they never led in the final game of their five-match trip. Deni Avdija scored 23 points and rookie Donovan Clingan chipped in 18, yet the Blazers could not keep pace once Denver’s offense caught fire.

Both sides started hot, shooting over 70% and trading threes in the opening minutes. Clingan hit four triples before halftime, but Denver’s depth proved decisive.

Turning point

The Nuggets pulled away midway through the third quarter with an 11-0 run, sparked by Jokic, Aaron Gordon (15 points), and Johnson all connecting from beyond the arc. From there, Denver controlled the tempo and closed out the win comfortably.

Jokic, despite five turnovers, was far sharper than in Wednesday’s loss at Memphis, underlining his MVP-level consistency.

What’s next

The Trail Blazers now return home to host the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night, hoping to regroup after a tough road stretch. Meanwhile, the Nuggets will travel to Phoenix to face the Suns on Tuesday, looking to build momentum as the postseason approaches.

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Daniel is a rising sports journalist with a sharp eye for detail and a passion for storytelling. At Yankee Scores, he covers the biggest headlines across soccer, basketball, and the NFL, bringing readers analysis that blends breaking news with tactical insight.
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