Milwaukee Bucks bore the brunt of Nikola Jokic’s return from injury after the Denver Nuggets star scored 39 points along with 10 rebounds and 10 assists for his 30th triple-double this season in the 127-117 win on Wednesday night.
Jokic’s numbers, the 160th career triple-double he’s had, make him only the fourth player in NBA history to reach 30 triple-doubles in a season as the Nuggets keep third spot in the West, a game ahead of Los Angeles Lakers.
The Nuggets led by 15 in the first quarter but Milwaukee closed to within 67-64 at halftime. Denver increased its lead to 80-74 in the third quarter, but the Bucks used a 14-3 run to go ahead 88-83 late in the period.
Denver closed strong, however. Braun hit a layup, Jokic made a corner 3-pointer and Braun had a steal and layup to put Denver ahead 90-88.
After Kuzma split a pair of free throws, Jalen Pickett and Braun drained 3-pointers, Jokic made a 10-foot floater and Braun capped a 15-4 run with a putback dunk to give the Nuggets a 100-92 lead heading into the fourth.
(With reporting by Field Level Media)