Pair of triple-doubles lead Nuggets past Jazz

Field Level Media|published: Tue 31st December, 24:02 2024

Dec 30, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun (0) dunks the ball behind his head and over Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) during the second quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images

Nikola Jokic and Russell Westbrook recorded triple-doubles, Jamal Murray had 20 points and 10 assists, and the Denver Nuggets beat the Utah Jazz 132-121 in Salt Lake City on Monday night.

Jokic finished with 36 points, 22 rebounds and 11 assists for his league-leading 13th triple-double of the season and 143rd of his career -- third all-time behind Oscar Robertson (181) and Westbrook (201).

Jokic's 22 rebounds are a season high and the third time he has 20 or more in a game this season.

Westbrook finished with 16 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Michael Porter Jr. scored 21 points, Christian Braun added 20 points and Peyton Watson contributed 13 points off the bench.

Jordan Clarkson led a balanced Utah attack with 24 points off the bench, while Collin Sexton had 22 points, Lauri Markkanen scored 17 points, Johnny Juzang had 14, and Walker Kessler finished with 12 points and 13 rebounds.

Denver used a 9-2 run early in the third quarter to take a 73-71 lead on Braun's dunk on a lob from Murray. The Nuggets stretched it to six multiple times, including on a 20-foot jumper by Murray and again when Jokic, who scored 17 points in the third, made two free throws to make it 90-84 with 3:09 left in the period.

Collier's three-point play got the Jazz within 92-89 but Jokic tipped in a miss and sank a 17-footer to give Denver a 98-89 lead heading into the fourth.

Porter scored the Nuggets' first seven points in the final quarter as Denver opened a 10-point lead, but Utah hit two from deep to get within 105-102 with 8:59 to go.

Kyle Filipowski's three-point play cut Denver's lead to 109-107 with 7:28 to play but Jokic hit a 25-foot 3-pointer, Westbrook fed Porter for a layup and then Watson for a dunk, and Watson scored again during a 11-2 run that gave the Nuggets an 11-point lead with 5:22 left.

The Jazz didn't get closer than seven points down the stretch.

The Nuggets led 44-39 early in the second quarter but Utah used a 15-3 run to go ahead 54-47. Denver tied it late in the period but the Jazz took a 66-64 lead into halftime.

--Field Level Media