DENVER (AP)— Nikola Jokic had 29 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists, while Christian Braun added 17 points as the Denver Nuggets defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 128-103 on Monday night.

Jokic, who departed the game with 27 seconds left in the third quarter and Denver up 21 points, finished two assists shy of his 23rd triple-double of the season.

Lamar Stevens tied a season high with 19 points for the Grizzlies. Scotty Pippen Jr. scored 17.

The Nuggets have won the last two games between the teams, both of which were played in Denver, by a combined 62 points.

Even without injured starters Jamal Murray (left ankle sprain) and Aaron Gordon (fascia strain), Denver shot 53.3% from the field and 46.9% from three. The Nuggets have improved to 15-2 since the All-Star break.

Denver’s Reggie Jackson finished with 15 points and eight assists, while Peyton Watson contributed 10 points and 10 rebounds off the bench.

The Nuggets jumped off to a 16-6 lead 4:20 into the game, which they extended to 18 points in the first quarter. In the first quarter, Jokic scored 16 points, four rebounds, and three assists.

Memphis, which trailed by 25 at halftime, reduced their deficit to 15 points with 5:48 left in the third quarter. However, after a quick timeout by coach Michael Malone, the Nuggets went on a 14-2 run, ending any realistic prospects of a comeback.

The reigning NBA champion Nuggets lead the Western Conference, one game ahead of idle Oklahoma City. The Grizzlies, meantime, dropped to 24-48 in a difficult season in which they have been without their franchise player, guard Ja Morant, for all but nine games and their big summer addition, Marcus Smart, since January 9.