DENVER — Nikola Jokic put on an impressive performance with 27 points, while Michael Porter Jr. contributed 20 points, leading the Denver Nuggets to a decisive 129-103 victory over the Utah Jazz on Saturday night. This win marked the Nuggets’ first home victory of the season, showcasing a powerful offensive display in the third quarter.
In addition to Jokic and Porter, Julian Strawther scored 19 points and Christian Braun added 17, solidifying the Nuggets’ dominance over the winless Jazz, who suffered their sixth straight loss to start the season. Jokic also showcased his all-around game by grabbing 16 rebounds and dishing out nine assists.
Walker Kessler was the standout for Utah, recording 18 points and 14 rebounds, while teammate Johnny Juzang added 17 points. Both teams were dealing with significant injuries; Russell Westbrook filled in for star Jamal Murray, who remained under concussion protocol after sustaining a head injury from a collision with Julius Randle during a prior game against Minnesota.
With Lauri Markkanen sidelined due to back spasms and Taylor Hendricks out because of a broken leg, Utah relied heavily on rookies Cody Williams and Kyle Filipowski, who were named starters in this matchup. Meanwhile, the Jazz struggled with ball control, committing 24 turnovers that the Nuggets capitalized on, turning those mistakes into 39 points.
The first half remained competitive, but Utah began to falter in the third quarter, falling behind by 24 points. Denver, which had previously lost at home to the Thunder and Clippers, found their groove against Utah, reminiscent of their perfect record at home against teams below .500 last season.
A pivotal moment occurred when Utah rallied from a 17-point deficit in the first quarter to tie the game at 42 during the second quarter. However, Denver quickly retaliated with a 14-0 scoring spree that featured crucial three-pointers from Braun and Porter, allowing the Nuggets to pull ahead 65-56 by halftime.
In a dominant third quarter, Jokic exploded for 18 of his 27 points, helping Denver outscore the Jazz 34-19 in that stretch.
Looking ahead, the Jazz are set to continue their four-game road trip on Monday night against the Chicago Bulls, while the Nuggets will host the Toronto Raptors the same evening.
