Jokic MVP Push Lifts Nuggets: Comeback from -16 and Third Place in the West
Nikola Jokic records a 35-point triple-double and leads the Denver Nuggets back from -16 against the Portland Trail Blazers. Denver climbs to third in the Western Conference with its ninth straight win
The Denver Nuggets just won’t stop. Down by 16 in the fourth quarter, they pulled off a stunning comeback to defeat the Portland Trail Blazers 137-132 in overtime.
Leading the charge, as so often happens, was Nikola Jokic.
Nikola Jokic: another MVP-level performance
A complete night for the Serbian star: 35 points, 13 rebounds, and 13 assists. Another triple-double (his 33rd of the season) and a clear statement in the MVP race, which may also have lost Victor Wembanyama due to a rib injury.
When the game seemed to be slipping away, Jokic shifted gears: 10 points in the fourth quarter and the spark that brought Denver back into the game. Not just numbers, but total control of key possessions.
Alongside him, crucial buckets also came from Jamal Murray (20 points, 7 in overtime) and Aaron Gordon, who delivered in the clutch with 23 points.
From -16 to victory: game flipped in minutes
Midway through the fourth quarter, Portland led 115-99 and it looked over. The Blazers were shooting extremely well, with Deni Avdija nearly perfect from the free-throw line (26 points) and Toumani Camara red-hot from three (30 points, 8 threes).
Then came the blackout.
Denver went on a 21-5 run to close the gap. A corner three by Aaron Gordon tied the game with just over a minute left. Jokic even had a chance to win it in regulation, but the game went to overtime.
In the extra period, the Nuggets made the difference immediately: Murray and Gordon hit from deep, then Murray sealed it with free throws and a dunk. The final touch belonged to Jokic.
Ninth straight win and leapfrogging the Lakers
With this win, Denver improves to 51-28 and secures its ninth straight victory, matching the best streak of the Jokic era.
In the standings, that means third place in the Western Conference and a leap over the Los Angeles Lakers, even though the tiebreaker still favors the purple and gold.
The final stretch of the season will be decisive, but for now, the Nuggets are peaking at the right time: in rhythm, confident, and with Jokic in full control mode.