Nuggets defeat Nets 124-105 as Jokic and Westbrook record triple-doubles

Jokic and Westbrook's triple-doubles help Nuggets beat Nets 124-105

DENVER, Colorado – Nikola Jokic returned to the lineup with a stellar performance, recording 35 points, 15 assists and 12 rebounds to help the Denver Nuggets beat the Brooklyn Nets 124-105 on Friday night. Russell Westbrook also had a stellar game, posting 25 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists to earn his 202nd career triple-double.

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For Jokic, it was the 145th triple-double of his career after missing Denver's previous two games due to illness. The two stars combined for triple-doubles in the same game for the second time this season, making them the first teammates in NBA history to do so multiple times in the same season.

Westbrook now holds the record for most career triple-doubles in NBA history, while Jokic is third behind Oscar Robertson (181 career triple-doubles).

Brooklyn continues to struggle

Ben Simmons, returning after a four-game absence, contributed 10 points and six assists for the Nets. However, Brooklyn has now lost four games in a row and 12 of its last 15. Keon Johnson led the Nets with 22 points, while Tyrese Martin added 19.

The Nets, playing with only eight players due to injuries, were without Cam Johnson (right ankle sprain) and D'Angelo Russell (right calf injury).

Nuggets seize control in second half

Denver seized control late in the first half, using a run to take the lead and never looked back. They started the second half with a 25-9 run that extended their advantage to 90-68. Brooklyn briefly cut the lead to 97-92, but the Nuggets quickly regained the lead.

Key Moments and Stats

A key moment came midway through the fourth quarter when Johnson's corner 3-pointer pulled the Nets to within 101-95. However, the Nuggets responded with a 16-5 run that extended their lead to 117-100 with 2:48 left on the clock.

Despite committing nine turnovers early in the second quarter, Denver finished the game with only five turnovers over the final 35:51 of play.

Injury Notes

For the Nuggets, Jamal Murray sat out the second half due to a sore right knee. Jokic entered the game as the NBA's leading scorer with 31.5 points per game.

NEXT MATCH

The Nets will continue their six-game road trip with a match at Utah on Sunday, while the Nuggets will travel to Dallas for back-to-back games starting Sunday.