In the NBA, there’s always another regular season game to play, whether you want there to be or not. Back-to-backs can be a challenge, but after a tough loss, the Denver Nuggets seem to find their rhythm 24 hours later.
And oh boy, did they find a rhythm on Friday night.
The Nuggets absolutely dominated the Portland Trail Blazers with a 157-103 final score. It was the most lopsided win the Nuggets have had in years, including the highest scoring outing by any team in the NBA this season.
Nikola Jokic set the tone from the get-go, establishing himself early as a scoring threat with 19 first quarter points. He finished with 32 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists in 3 quarters and was a +40 while on the floor. Jokic shot 10-of-15 from the field, 3-of-4 from three, and 9-of-11 from the free throw line, the kind of efficient performance that sets him apart from the rest of the NBA when he’s at his best. His engagement on both ends of the floor was outstanding as well, helping anchor the Nuggets in a moment that they needed his reliance.
Nikola Jokić was OUTSTANDING in the @nuggets road victory!
🃏 32 PTS (10-15 FGM)
🃏 9 REB
🃏 7 AST
🃏 4 STL pic.twitter.com/ZHjhSXlLgC— NBA (@NBA) February 21, 2026
In the second quarter, Murray and the Nuggets really got going. Murray shot 4-of-6 from three in that quarter alone, catching fire to turn what was a Nuggets lead into a Nuggets blowout by the end of the first half. Denver led by 29 at that point, and Murray finished the game with 25 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists, attempting only three-pointers and free throws all game. He was very efficient 24 hours after a difficult matchup against the LA Clippers.
The Nuggets got the star performances they needed from Jokic and Murray, but they also had tremendous contributions across the board. Julian Strawther continued his excellent play with 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists in 29 minutes, going for an incredible +48 in the plus-minus department.
Another really good cut from Julian Strawther. His activity off the ball, especially next to Jokić, has been excellent tonight pic.twitter.com/8QLeffOHF6
— Matt Brooks (@MattBrooksNBA) February 21, 2026
Christian Braun had 11 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists, tying a career high in the assists department. While Deni Avdija had a productive night stats wise, Braun did a nice job disrupting him while he was on the floor, as did Cam Johnson. The Nuggets starting forward filled up the box score himself with 15 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks, making a significant impact defensively in his minutes by using his length and timing plays with his hands.
Between Braun, Johnson, and Jokic, the Nuggets actually had a strong defensive outing with their starters, hidden a bit by some stepback threes by Jrue Holiday and threes from Donovan Clingan of all people.
Off the bench, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Spencer Jones led the way. Hardaway made the 2,000th three-pointer of his NBA career, adding that to the 19 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals. Hardaway may be losing a bit of scoring volume consistency as the year goes on, but when he’s on, the spacing is incredibly impactful with tough shotmaking and a defender forced to stay attached to him at all costs.
Jones was on the floor for the Nuggets big run to end the first half and continues to be impactful all around. In 30 minutes off the bench he made both three-point attempts, grabbed 10 rebounds, disrupted Avdija and others defensively, and more.
Finally, the Nuggets deep reserves came in and turned a 40-point blowout into a 50-point blowout. DaRon Holmes made nice plays as a scorer with 9 points, and Zeke Nnaji was active. The big story was KJ Simpson though, who made his Nuggets debut and did a nice job on both ends of the floor. He forced a turnover, grabbed an offensive rebound and got the putback as one of the smallest guys on the floor, and he also had 4 assists. His passing was good, as was his ability to get to spots on the floor with tempo to create good playmaking opportunities for others. A strong debut.
Overall, this was about as strong of a response as the Nuggets could’ve possibly had. Jokic and Murray set the tone, the Nuggets all played well defensively, and many players stepped up throughout the game as shot makers to put up a crooked total.
If Thursday was another example of Denver’s struggles when Jokic and Murray aren’t at their best, Friday was about what can happen when they set the tone. This was a team win certainly, but it was set up by Denver’s stars taking on the burden early for others to shine throughout.
Let’s see if they can wrap up the road trip with a win in San Francisco on Sunday vs the Golden State Warriors to close with a positive record.