DENVER — Jamal Murray scored a career-high 55 points, Nikola Jokic had his 25th triple-double of the season and the Denver Nuggets beat the Portland Trail Blazers 132-121 on Wednesday night for their eighth straight victory.
Murray was 20-of-36 from the floor, including seven 3-pointers, to become just the third Nuggets players ever with a 55-point game. It’s the third-most points in franchise history, trailing only David Thompson’s 73-point game on April 9, 1978, and Jokic’s 56-point effort Dec. 7.
Murray and Jokic are just the fourth duo to each have a 55-point game in the same season in NBA history, according to ESPN Research.
“Jamal was fantastic from beginning to end,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. “Fifty-five points, and a very efficient 55. I’ve seen a lot of guys put up big games, and not in the most efficient manner. To get 55 on 36 shots, 7-of-15 from 3 and 8-of-9 from the foul line, Jamal was incredible.”
Jokic had with 26 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists on a night when the team celebrated Serbian Heritage Night and handed out his bobblehead. His 25 triple-doubles are the third most before the All-Star break, trailing only Oscar Robertson’s 28 in the 1961-62 season and Russell Westbrook’s 27 in 2016-17, according to ESPN Research.
Malone made sure to spotlight Jokic’s performance, saying people often don’t talk about him because of his “expected greatness.”
“Please, let’s never take Nikola’s greatness for granted,” Malone said. “We are witnessing history every single night. I don’t take it for granted. He’s incredible, and I really feel fortunate and blessed to have coached him for 10 years now.”
The Nuggets led by 23 points, only to see Portland cut it to single digits late in the second game between the teams in Denver in three nights. The Nuggets won 146-117 on Monday.
Anfernee Simons led Portland with 26 points, and Donovan Clingan had 17 points and 20 rebounds. The Trail Blazers were without Deandre Ayton (strained calf), Scoot Henderson (sprained ankle) and Jerami Grant (sore knee).
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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