Nikola Jokic records his 35th triple-double of the season in Nuggets victory

The Serbian center continues to impress with his exceptional consistency this season. Nikola Jokic once again demonstrated why he is considered one of the most complete players in the NBA, recording his 35th triple-double of the season in the Denver Nuggets convincing victory over the Portland Trail Blazers (128-112).

Alongside Jamal Murray, who also scored 22 points, Jokic orchestrated the Nuggets offense with his 14 rebounds and 14 assists. This collective performance allowed Denver to end the Trail Blazers impressive three-game road winning streak.

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Peyton Watson’s successful return

The Nuggets benefited from the return of Peyton Watson, who had been out since February 4 due to a hamstring injury. The 6’8″ guard scored 14 points in less than 20 minutes of play, confirming his importance in Denver’s rotation. Before his injury six weeks ago, Watson was averaging nearly 15 points per game.

Coach David Adelman had mentioned before the game that his « defensive wing » and accurate passer’s playing time would be limited for his gradual return to the rotation. Seven Nuggets players finished in double figures, demonstrating the depth of Denver’s roster.

Peyton Watson 14 Points, 6 Rebs, 3 Assists full highlight vs Trail Blazers | 25-26 NBA Season pic.twitter.com/MpgtoBpyfs

— Hoops Showtime (@HoopsShowtime12) March 23, 2026

On Portland’s side, Deni Avdija led the offense with 23 points, while Donovan Clingan added 18 points. Despite these solid individual performances, the Trail Blazers never held the lead in this final game of their five-game road trip.

The game started at a frenetic pace, with both teams making 7 three-pointers on 10 attempts in the first six minutes. Jamal Murray and Cam Johnson (19 points) each hit four 3-pointers in the first half for Denver, matching Clingan’s performance for Portland. The Nuggets led 75-69 at halftime before pulling away in the third quarter with a decisive 11-0 run, featuring three-pointers from Jokic and Aaron Gordon (15 points).