Nuggets Dominate Blazers with 146-117 Victory Behind Jokic’s 40 Points

DENVER, CO — The Denver Nuggets showcased their offensive prowess on February 10, 2025, overwhelming the Portland Trail Blazers with a 146-117 victory at Ball Arena. Superstar Nikola Jokic delivered a commanding performance with 40 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds, leading the Nuggets to their seventh consecutive win.

The Nuggets set the tone early, hitting their first 11 shots from the field, quickly building a double-digit lead. The Blazers struggled with their defense, trailing 38-27 after the first quarter and 70-55 at halftime.

Despite a late surge in the third quarter that briefly narrowed the gap to seven points, the Nuggets answered with a decisive 14-3 run, extending their lead to 112-92 by the end of the period. Portland faced additional adversity with injuries to key players, including center Deandre Ayton and guard Scoot Henderson, who left the game in the fourth quarter after twisting his ankle.

“It was one of those nights where everything was falling,” Jokic said after the game. “Once we started rolling, we knew we could keep it going.”

While Jokic’s offensive display was impressive, it was rookie Donovan Clingan‘s efficiency that caught attention on the opposing side. Clingan finished the night with a career-high 21 points on a perfect shooting night of 8-for-8, along with seven rebounds.

The Nuggets’ dominance was evident in various statistics, most notably in fast break points (29-12) and points off turnovers (28-7). Portland struggled with 16 turnovers compared to Denver’s eight, which translated directly into scoring opportunities for the Nuggets.

“We didn’t take care of the ball, and that hurt us,” said Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups. “They capitalized on our mistakes, and we need to learn from this.”

In addition to Jokic’s heroics, Jamal Murray contributed 18 points before being ejected early in the fourth quarter for receiving a second technical foul. Christian Braun also added 26 points for Denver.

Denver’s head coach Michael Malone praised the team’s performance, emphasizing their balanced offensive effort. “Everyone contributed tonight, and that’s what we need moving forward,” Malone said.

Looking ahead, the Blazers have a chance to redeem themselves with a rematch against the Nuggets on February 12 at the same venue. The Nuggets will look to continue their winning streak while the Blazers aim to bounce back from this defeat.