by Cody Krupp
Thu, March 27th 2025 at 11:24 PM
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, fields a pass as Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 26, 2025 in Denver (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
DENVER (AP) — Nikola Jokic had 39 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in his first game back in nearly two weeks to lead the Denver Nuggets to a 127-117 victory against the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night.
The triple-double was Jokic’s NBA-leading 30th of the season. The reigning NBA MVP missed the team’s previous five games with an injured left ankle.
Michael Porter Jr. added 23 points for the Nuggets on a night when he made his first six shots, including his first five 3-pointers.
It was the Bucks’ first game since it was announced star guard Damian Lillard was diagnosed with blood clots in his right calf. Milwaukee was also without two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was sidelined with a sprained left foot that coach Doc Rivers said he was informed of at the team’s shootaround Wednesday.
Brook Lopez had 26 points for the Bucks, marking the third consecutive game in which the veteran big man has finished with at least 20 points. Seven of the eight Milwaukee players who took the court Wednesday scored in double figures.
