Nikola Jokic returned from a monthlong absence with 31 points and 12 rebounds, and the Denver Nuggets pulled away late to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 122-109 on Friday night.
The three-time MVP played his first game since injuring his left knee on Dec. 29 at Miami, missing 16 games in all. Despite working under a minutes restriction, Jokic posted his 29th double-double of the season in just 25 minutes, his second-lowest workload of the year.
Denver leaned on Jokic down the stretch, as he scored 11 points in a 3:47 span in the fourth quarter to turn a five-point game into a comfortable 16-point cushion. The Nuggets improved to 7-3 this season in the second game of a back-to-back.
Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 22 points for Denver, while Jamal Murray added 22 of his own, knocking down four of five 3-pointers and handing out a team-high nine assists. Peyton Watson chipped in 21 points as the Nuggets won despite recently navigating injuries to multiple starters.
James Harden finished with 25 points and nine assists for the Clippers, who saw a hot stretch cool off after winning 16 of their previous 19 games entering the night.
Up next:
Denver hosts Oklahoma City on Sunday night. The Clippers continue their road trip Sunday at Phoenix.
