DENVER – Nikola Jokic made a triumphant return to the court, amassing 39 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists to propel the Denver Nuggets to a 127-117 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night. This game marked Jokic’s return after a nearly two-week absence due to a left ankle injury, and it was his 30th triple-double of the season, leading the NBA in that category.
Joining Jokic in the offensive assault was Michael Porter Jr., who contributed 23 points for the Nuggets. Porter dazzled by making his first six shots, including nailing his initial five attempts from beyond the arc.
The Bucks faced additional adversity as they played their first game since the announcement that their star guard, Damian Lillard, was diagnosed with blood clots in his right calf. On top of that, two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo was out of action with a sprained left foot, a situation communicated by coach Doc Rivers during the team’s Wednesday shootaround.
Despite these challenges, Brook Lopez stood out for Milwaukee, scoring 26 points. This was the third straight game where Lopez notched at least 20 points. Impressively, seven out of the eight Bucks players who saw action scored in double figures.
In terms of team performance, the Nuggets managed to emerge victorious despite defensive struggles. The team was wobbly on that front but got back on track following losses in three of their previous four outings.
The Milwaukee Bucks, although shorthanded due to the absence of key personnel like suspended forward Bobby Portis, demonstrated resilience. Nevertheless, they have only won four of their last 11 games.
One pivotal moment unfolded in the third quarter. The Nuggets found themselves trailing 88-83, but they swiftly turned the tide with a 13-1 run, punctuated by a three-pointer from Christian Braun.
On the side of personal achievements, Russell Westbrook made history with a steal in the first quarter. This was the 1,944th steal of his career, allowing him to tie with Kobe Bryant for the 16th most steals in NBA history. Earlier in the week, Westbrook surpassed Kevin Garnett to become the 20th all-time leading scorer in NBA history.
Looking ahead, the Nuggets are set to host the Utah Jazz on Friday night, while the Bucks will welcome the New York Knicks.