Nikola Jokić, two-time NBA MVP, led the Denver Nuggets to a 120-108 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers, bringing the reigning champs within half a game of the West’s top seed.
Jokić achieved his league-leading 15th triple-double of the season, scoring 27 points, 22 rebounds, and 12 assists. Nuggets head coach Michael Malone praised his superstar postgame.
“What Nikola has accomplished is historical in nature. “It’s incredible; that’s why he’s a two-time MVP,” Malone told reporters. “He’s a world champion and a Finals MVP because, every night, he’s able to be great for himself, but more importantly, he’s able to make everyone around him better – and that truly defines greatness.
“And we’ve been spoiled.” I’m sure some of us may find ourselves taking it for granted, but just remind yourself that there aren’t many people like Nikola Jokić that walk through those doors, so embrace every opportunity to watch him play.
The fans in Ball Arena don’t take the Serbian big man for granted; he’s led the team to six consecutive winning seasons, won two regular season MVP awards (2020/21 and 2021/22) and, last year, led the franchise to its first NBA title since joining the team in 2015 – and they let him know it last night with boisterous support throughout the game against the Blazers.
Denver jumped out to a strong early lead, outscoring Portland 33-20 in the first quarter, but the Trail Blazers rallied in the second.
After trailing by 11 with 8:32 left in the half, the Blazers went on a 16-3 run in little over three minutes, highlighted by a jumper by Scoot Henderson, who finished with a game-high 30 points off the bench, to grab a two-point advantage. The two teams subsequently swapped leads until the Nuggets surged up by four at halftime.
Though Denver’s advantage grew to 13 with about five minutes left in the third, it couldn’t shake Portland, which cut the deficit to five numerous times in the fourth. Eventually, the reigning champions’ balanced offence – seven Nuggets players finished in double figures – proved too much for the visitors, who suffered a road loss.
Jokić expressed satisfaction with the Nuggets’ desire for continued success this season.
Jokić expressed satisfaction with the Nuggets’ desire for continued success this season. David Zalubowski / AP
The win moves Denver to 34-16 on the season, half a game behind the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves for the West’s top spot.
The Nuggets had the same record as last year after 50 games, prompting Jokić to praise the club for not resting on its laurels and continuing to strive for greater success.
“I enjoy how we’re still playing with the same effort like that. “We’re not going to take it easy just because we won the championship,” Jokić stated after the game. “We continue to compete and strive to improve. I’m not sure where we’re at our finest, but maybe it’s just being willing to keep battling, not giving up, and fighting for games.
The setback snaps Portland’s two-game winning streak against two of the NBA’s top teams, the Philadelphia 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks, but the Blazers will get their revenge shortly when they face the Nuggets in Denver on Sunday night.