Game ID: 22400531
Brooklyn Nets @ Denver Nuggets
Friday, January 10, 2025 at 9:00 PM ET
Ball Arena, Denver, CO
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
DEN 32 33 29 30 124BKN 36 23 20 26 105
BKN @ DEN ScoutingBKN @ DEN Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
DEN availability going into 1/03 · 1 day's restOUT Gordon missed 4 since 12/27, out tonight
OUT Šarić missed 17 since 11/25, out tonight
BACK Pickett back 1/01 after 2, 13 min since (104% of 13)
BACK Nnaji back 1/01 after 2, 3 min since (33% of 10)
DEN availability going into 1/04 · back-to-backOUT Gordon missed 5 since 12/27, out tonight
OUT Šarić missed 18 since 11/25, out tonight
BACK Pickett back 1/01 after 2, 13 min since (104% of 13)
BACK Nnaji back 1/01 after 2, 3 min since (33% of 10)
DEN availability going into 1/07 · 2 days' restOUT Gordon missed 6 since 12/27, out tonight
OUT Šarić missed 19 since 11/25, returns tonight: 16 min (126% of 13)
OUT Nnaji missed 2 since 1/03, returns tonight: 5 min (49% of 10)
BACK Pickett back 1/01 after 2, 8 min since (67% of 13)
DEN availability going into 1/08 · back-to-backOUT Gordon missed 7 since 12/27, out tonight
BACK Šarić back 1/07 after 19, 16 min since (126% of 13)
BACK Pickett back 1/01 after 2, 6 min since (46% of 13)
BACK Nnaji back 1/01 after 2, 4 min since (41% of 10)
DEN availability going into 1/10 · 1 day's restOUT Jokić missed 2 since 1/07, returns tonight: 38 min (102% of 37)
OUT Gordon missed 8 since 12/27, out tonight
BACK Šarić back 1/07 after 19, 18 min since (140% of 13)
BACK Pickett back 1/01 after 2, 5 min since (43% of 13)
BACK Nnaji back 1/01 after 2, 4 min since (42% of 10)
NEW Strawther 20 to 27 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 1/12 · 1 day's restOUT Gordon missed 9 since 12/27, returns tonight: 18 min (61% of 30)
BACK Jokić back 1/10 after 2, 38 min since (102% of 37)
BACK Šarić back 1/07 after 19, 18 min since (140% of 13)
BACK Nnaji back 1/07 after 2, 5 min since (47% of 10)
NEW Westbrook 27 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Watson 23 to 29 min over the last 5
NEW Strawther 20 to 28 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 1/14 · 1 day's restOUT Šarić missed 2 since 1/10, out tonight
OUT Nnaji missed 2 since 1/10, returns tonight: 4 min (34% of 10)
BACK Jokić back 1/10 after 2, 38 min since (103% of 37)
BACK Gordon back 1/12 after 9, 18 min since (61% of 30)
NEW Westbrook 27 to 34 min over the last 5
NEW Watson 23 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Strawther 20 to 28 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 1/15 · back-to-backOUT Šarić missed 3 since 1/10, returns tonight: 19 min (144% of 13)
BACK Jokić back 1/10 after 2, 35 min since (94% of 37)
BACK Gordon back 1/12 after 9, 18 min since (59% of 30)
BACK Nnaji back 1/07 after 2, 4 min since (42% of 10)
NEW Watson 23 to 30 min over the last 5
NEW Strawther 20 to 27 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 1/17 · 1 day's restBACK Jokić back 1/10 after 2, 35 min since (94% of 37)
BACK Gordon back 1/12 after 9, 18 min since (59% of 30)
BACK Šarić back 1/15 after 3, 19 min since (144% of 13)
BACK Nnaji back 1/14 after 2, 5 min since (46% of 10)
NEW Watson 23 to 28 min over the last 5
NEW Strawther 20 to 26 min over the last 5
BKN availability going into 1/02 · back-to-backOUT Williams missed 12 since 12/02, returns tonight: 18 min (76% of 24)
OUT Watford missed 7 since 12/19, out tonight
OUT Whitehead missed 4 since 12/26, out tonight
BACK Thomas back 12/29 after 13, 25 min since (79% of 31)
BACK Finney-Smith back 12/27 after 3, 27 min since (93% of 29)
NEW Wilson 26 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW K. Johnson 24 to 31 min over the last 5
NEW Clowney 23 to 28 min over the last 5
NEW Milton 18 to 25 min over the last 3
BKN availability going into 1/04 · 1 day's restOUT Watford missed 8 since 12/19, out tonight
OUT Whitehead missed 5 since 12/26, out tonight
BACK Thomas back 12/29 after 13, 23 min since (75% of 31)
BACK Finney-Smith back 12/27 after 3, 27 min since (93% of 29)
BACK Williams back 1/02 after 12, 18 min since (76% of 24)
NEW Wilson 26 to 34 min over the last 5
NEW K. Johnson 24 to 31 min over the last 5
BKN availability going into 1/06 · 1 day's restOUT Simmons missed 2 since 1/02, out tonight
OUT Watford missed 9 since 12/19, out tonight
OUT Lewis missed 2 since 1/02, out tonight
OUT Whitehead missed 6 since 12/26, returns tonight: 3 min (22% of 12)
BACK Thomas back 12/29 after 13, 23 min since (75% of 31)
BACK Finney-Smith back 12/27 after 3, 27 min since (93% of 29)
BACK Williams back 1/02 after 12, 20 min since (82% of 24)
NEW Wilson 26 to 34 min over the last 5
NEW K. Johnson 24 to 33 min over the last 5
BKN availability going into 1/08 · 1 day's restOUT C. Johnson missed 2 since 1/04, out tonight
OUT Thomas missed 2 since 1/04, out tonight
OUT Simmons missed 3 since 1/02, out tonight
OUT Watford missed 10 since 12/19, out tonight
OUT Lewis missed 3 since 1/02, out tonight
BACK Williams back 1/02 after 12, 22 min since (90% of 24)
BACK Whitehead back 1/06 after 6, 3 min since (22% of 12)
NEW Wilson 26 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW K. Johnson 24 to 32 min over the last 5
BKN availability going into 1/10 · 1 day's restOUT C. Johnson missed 3 since 1/04, out tonight
OUT Thomas missed 3 since 1/04, out tonight
OUT Simmons missed 4 since 1/02, returns tonight: 22 min (87% of 25)
OUT Russell missed 2 since 1/06, out tonight
OUT Watford missed 11 since 12/19, out tonight
OUT Lewis missed 4 since 1/02, out tonight
BACK Williams back 1/02 after 12, 23 min since (96% of 24)
BACK Whitehead back 1/06 after 6, 3 min since (22% of 12)
NEW Wilson 26 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW K. Johnson 24 to 31 min over the last 5
NEW Clowney 23 to 28 min over the last 4
BKN availability going into 1/12 · 1 day's restOUT C. Johnson missed 4 since 1/04, out tonight
OUT Thomas missed 4 since 1/04, out tonight
OUT Russell missed 3 since 1/06, out tonight
OUT Watford missed 12 since 12/19, out tonight
OUT Lewis missed 5 since 1/02, out tonight
OUT Whitehead missed 2 since 1/08, out tonight
BACK Simmons back 1/10 after 4, 22 min since (87% of 25)
BACK Williams back 1/02 after 12, 23 min since (95% of 24)
NEW K. Johnson 24 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Clowney 23 to 29 min over the last 4
NEW Martin 22 to 28 min over the last 5
BKN availability going into 1/14 · 1 day's restOUT C. Johnson missed 5 since 1/04, returns tonight: 27 min (85% of 32)
OUT Thomas missed 5 since 1/04, out tonight
OUT Russell missed 4 since 1/06, returns tonight: 21 min (84% of 25)
OUT Watford missed 13 since 12/19, out tonight
OUT Lewis missed 6 since 1/02, out tonight
OUT Whitehead missed 3 since 1/08, returns tonight: 1 min (7% of 12)
BACK Simmons back 1/10 after 4, 27 min since (107% of 25)
NEW K. Johnson 24 to 31 min over the last 5
NEW Clowney 23 to 29 min over the last 5
NEW Martin 22 to 32 min over the last 5
BKN availability going into 1/15 · back-to-backOUT Thomas missed 6 since 1/04, out tonight
OUT Watford missed 14 since 12/19, out tonight
OUT Lewis missed 7 since 1/02, out tonight
BACK C. Johnson back 1/14 after 5, 27 min since (85% of 32)
BACK Simmons back 1/10 after 4, 27 min since (106% of 25)
BACK Russell back 1/14 after 4, 21 min since (84% of 25)
BACK Whitehead back 1/06 after 6, 2 min since (15% of 12)
NEW Clowney 23 to 31 min over the last 5
NEW Martin 22 to 30 min over the last 5
BKN availability going into 1/17 · 1 day's restOUT Thomas missed 7 since 1/04, out tonight
OUT Watford missed 15 since 12/19, out tonight
OUT Lewis missed 8 since 1/02, out tonight
BACK C. Johnson back 1/14 after 5, 27 min since (85% of 32)
BACK Simmons back 1/10 after 4, 27 min since (106% of 25)
BACK Russell back 1/14 after 4, 21 min since (84% of 25)
BACK Whitehead back 1/14 after 3, 5 min since (42% of 12)
NEW Clowney 23 to 30 min over the last 5
NEW Martin 22 to 31 min over the last 5
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 113, shooting 49 percent and 39 from three, 18 free throws a game; Jokić at 37 and Porter Jr. at 21 a game. Without Jokić (2 straight), Gordon (8 straight). One day's rest. Brooklyn comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 103 a night and allowing 118, shooting 43 percent and 32 from three, 20 free throws a game; Clowney at 13 and Russell at 13 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without C. Johnson (3 straight), Thomas (3 straight), Simmons (4 straight). One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the arc, Denver at 39 percent from three to Brooklyn's 32 and the turnovers, Brooklyn giving it away 15 times a game to Denver's 11. Call it Denver 119, Brooklyn 109, Denver by 10.
1/03 vs SAS 110-113 — DEN notes
DEN lost 110-113. DEN shot 43% (42 of 97) to SAS's 46%, 15 of 39 from three. DEN turned it over 8 times to SAS's 13. The glass went 46-56 against them. Jokić led with 41 (15 of 36, 3 of 10 from three, 8 of 9 at the line); Porter Jr. added 22, Murray 14. Q3 was theirs, 38-27, turning a 8-point deficit into a 3-point lead, but the other 3 periods went 86-72 against them.
1/04 @ SAS 122-111 — DEN notes
DEN won 122-111 in 1 overtime. DEN shot 44% (47 of 108) to SAS's 39%, 10 of 33 from three. DEN turned it over 7 times to SAS's 12. Jokić led with 46 (19 of 35, 3 of 8 from three, 5 of 6 at the line); Porter Jr. added 28, Murray 13. The hinge was Q4, 27-16: DEN came in trailing by 11 and left it level. DEN trailed 54-55 at the half and won the second half 68-56. Porter Jr. was the night's best plus/minus at +21.
1/07 vs BOS 106-118 — DEN notes
DEN lost 106-118. DEN shot 46% (40 of 87) to BOS's 50%, 14 of 36 from three. DEN turned it over 16 times to BOS's 11, and BOS turned those into 11 steals. Westbrook led with 26 (9 of 18, 4 of 9 from three); Murray added 19, Strawther 19. Q2 was theirs, 32-20, the deficit cut from 12 to 0, but the other 3 periods went 98-74 against them. Porter Jr.'s -16 in 36 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/08 vs LAC 126-103 — DEN notes
DEN won 126-103. DEN shot 55% (49 of 89) to LAC's 38%, 17 of 35 from three, and got to the line 17 times to LAC's 40. Murray led with 21 (7 of 13, 4 of 6 from three); Westbrook added 19, M. Porter Jr. 19. The hinge was Q1, 33-19: from level to 14 ahead, and the lead reached 29. Murray was the night's best plus/minus at +24.
1/10 vs BKN 124-105 — DEN notes
DEN won 124-105. DEN shot 52% (45 of 87) to BKN's 42%, 9 of 24 from three, and went to the line 33 times to BKN's 19 — 25 points from the stripe to their 15. The glass went 49-39 for them. Jokić led with 35 (14 of 21, 6 of 8 at the line); Westbrook added 25, Porter Jr. 17. The hinge was Q2, 33-23: DEN came in trailing by 4 and left it ahead by 6, and the lead reached 22. Jokić was the night's best plus/minus at +33.
1/12 @ DAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Dallas comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 114, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 21 free throws a game; Grimes at 18 and Hardy at 17 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Irving (4 straight), Edwards (5 straight). 2 days' rest. Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 110, shooting 48 percent and 39 from three, 21 free throws a game; Jokić at 41 and Porter Jr. at 20 a game. Without Gordon (9 straight). One day's rest.
So: Dallas wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Dallas has been plus-5 a night and Denver plus-1 and the turnovers, Dallas giving it away 14 times a game to Denver's 11. Call it Dallas 116, Denver 115, Denver keeping it close.
1/14 @ DAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Dallas comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 115, shooting 44 percent and 36 from three, 23 free throws a game; Washington at 17 and Hardy at 15 a game. Without Irving (5 straight), Edwards (6 straight). One day's rest. Denver comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 108, shooting 49 percent and 36 from three, 22 free throws a game; Jokić at 33 and Westbrook at 20 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 6 a night. One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Denver has been plus-6 a night and Dallas plus-1 and the defense, Denver allowing 108 a night to Dallas's 115. Call it Denver 115, Dallas 114, Dallas keeping it close.
1/15 vs HOU — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 105, shooting 51 percent and 38 from three, 21 free throws a game; Murray at 22 and Jokić at 21 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has won the glass by 10 a night. Second night of a back-to-back. Houston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 114, shooting 46 percent and 38 from three, 25 free throws a game; Green at 32 and Sengun at 21 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Smith Jr. (5 straight), Eason (12 straight). One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Denver has been plus-10 a night and Houston plus-4 and the defense, Denver allowing 105 a night to Houston's 114. Call it Denver 115, Houston 112, Houston keeping it close.
1/17 @ MIA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Miami comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 103, shooting 45 percent and 37 from three, 16 free throws a game; Herro at 27 and Adebayo at 14 a game. Without Butler III (7 straight), Richardson (26 straight). One day's rest. Denver comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 107, shooting 52 percent and 40 from three, 23 free throws a game; Murray at 22 and Jokić at 21 a game. It has won the glass by 10 a night. One day's rest.
So: Miami wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Denver has been plus-10 a night and Miami minus-2 and the line, where Denver takes 23 free throws a game to Miami's 16. Call it Miami 112, Denver 111, Denver keeping it close.
1/02 @ MIL 113-110 — BKN notes
BKN won 113-110. BKN shot 43% (38 of 88) to MIL's 44%, 12 of 39 from three. C. Johnson led with 26 (10 of 16, 6 of 12 from three); Thomas added 24, Claxton 16. The hinge was Q1, 30-23: from level to 7 ahead, and the lead reached 24. Sharpe was the night's best plus/minus at +17.
1/04 vs PHI 94-123 — BKN notes
BKN lost 94-123. BKN shot 41% (34 of 82) to PHI's 51%, 14 of 41 from three, and got to the line 19 times to PHI's 30. BKN turned it over 22 times to PHI's 17, and PHI turned those into 11 steals. The glass went 39-50 against them. Williams led with 19 (6 of 8, 4 of 6 from three); Martin added 16, Johnson 15. Q4 was theirs, 28-32, but the other 3 periods went 91-66 against them. They led by as many as 11. Claxton's -21 in 23 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/06 vs IND 99-113 — BKN notes
BKN lost 99-113. BKN took 19 more shots (98 to 79), fed by 20 offensive rebounds, but shot 42% to IND's 51%, 10 of 33 from three, and got to the line just 11 times against 19 fouls committed. The glass went 51-35 for them. Sharpe led with 16 (8 of 13); Martin added 15, Clowney 14. Q3 was theirs, 31-23, the deficit cut from 16 to 8, but the other 3 periods went 90-68 against them. Claxton's -23 in 26 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/08 vs DET 98-113 — BKN notes
BKN lost 98-113. BKN shot 38% (33 of 86) to DET's 52%, 13 of 39 from three, and went to the line 21 times to DET's 12 — 19 points from the stripe to their 8. Clowney led with 29 (9 of 20, 5 of 11 from three, 6 of 6 at the line); Claxton added 14, Evbuomwan 13. Q4 was theirs, 28-22, the deficit cut from 21 to 15, but the other 3 periods went 91-70 against them. Martin's -17 in 33 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/10 @ DEN 105-124 — BKN notes
BKN lost 105-124. BKN shot 42% (38 of 90) to DEN's 52%, 14 of 45 from three, and got to the line 19 times to DEN's 33. The glass went 39-49 against them. Johnson led with 22 (8 of 21, 4 of 12 from three); Martin added 19, Clowney 14. Q1 was theirs, 36-32, but the other 3 periods went 92-69 against them. Claxton's -26 in 27 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/12 @ UTA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Utah comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 105, shooting 45 percent and 34 from three, 19 free throws a game; Markkanen at 24 and Sexton at 21 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has won the glass by 9 a night. Without George (4 straight), Collins (4 straight), Clarkson (4 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Brooklyn comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 102 a night and allowing 117, shooting 41 percent and 32 from three, 20 free throws a game; Clowney at 15 and K. Johnson at 14 a game. That is 4 straight losses. Without C. Johnson (4 straight), Thomas (4 straight), Russell (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: Utah wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Utah has been plus-9 a night and Brooklyn minus-1 and the defense, Utah allowing 105 a night to Brooklyn's 117. Call it Utah 114, Brooklyn 107.
1/14 @ POR — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Portland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 111, shooting 47 percent and 38 from three, 14 free throws a game; Simons at 26 and Sharpe at 20 a game. Without Grant (7 straight), Thybulle (38 straight), Williams III (2 straight). 2 days' rest. Brooklyn comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 101 a night and allowing 117, shooting 41 percent and 31 from three, 21 free throws a game; Martin at 15 and Williams at 14 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without C. Johnson (5 straight), Thomas (5 straight), Russell (4 straight). One day's rest.
So: Portland wins, and the game turns on the arc, Portland at 38 percent from three to Brooklyn's 31 and the line, where Brooklyn takes 21 free throws a game to Portland's 14. Call it Portland 113, Brooklyn 108.
1/15 @ LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Clippers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 111, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 22 free throws a game; Powell at 22 and Harden at 18 a game. One day's rest. Brooklyn comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 115, shooting 44 percent and 33 from three, 21 free throws a game; Clowney at 15 and K. Johnson at 14 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Thomas (6 straight), Watford (14 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: The Clippers win, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it the Clippers 114, Brooklyn 107.
1/17 @ LAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 115, shooting 48 percent and 37 from three, 21 free throws a game; Davis at 24 and James at 22 a game. Without Vanderbilt (32 straight). One day's rest. Brooklyn comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 103 a night and allowing 118, shooting 42 percent and 32 from three, 23 free throws a game; Clowney at 13 and K. Johnson at 13 a game. Without Thomas (7 straight), Watford (15 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the arc, the Lakers at 37 percent from three to Brooklyn's 32. Call it the Lakers 115, Brooklyn 108.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
BKNBS B. Simmons
DS D. Sharpe
JW J. Wilson
KJ K. Johnson
NC N. Claxton
NC N. Clowney
RB R. Beekman
TE T. Evbuomwan
TM T. Martin
ZW Z. Williams
DENCB C. Braun
DJ D. Jordan
JM J. Murray
JP J. Pickett
JS J. Strawther
JO Jokic
MP M. Porter Jr.
NJ N. Jokić
PW P. Watson
RW R. Westbrook
BKN/DEN the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Jokic, Westbrook have triple-doubles and Nuggets beat Nets 124-105
DENVER -- — Nikola Jokic had 35 points, 15 assists and 12 rebounds in his return to the lineup, Russell Westbrook had 25 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists and the Denver Nuggets beat the Brooklyn Nets 124-105 on Friday night.
It was the 145th career triple-double for Jokic, who missed Denver's previous two games due to an illness.
It was Westbrook's 202nd career triple-double. It was the second time this season they have had triple-doubles in the same game, and according to the NBA they are the first teammates in NBA history to have triple-doubles in the same game multiple times in a single season.
Westbrook has the most career NBA triple-doubles and Jokic is third. Oscar Robertson is second with 181.
Ben Simmons played for the first time since Jan. 1 and had 10 points and six assists for Brooklyn, which has dropped four straight and 12 of its last 15. Keon Johnson had 22 points and Tyrese Martin had 19 points for Brooklyn.
The Nuggets used a late second-quarter run to take the lead for good, then opened the second half with a 25-9 spurt that made it 90-68.
The Nets got within 97-92 before Denver pulled away.
Takeaways Nets: Played with just eight players against Detroit on Wednesday but Simmons returned from a four-game absence. Cam Johnson (right ankle sprain) and D’Angelo Russell (right shin contusion) are still out.
Nuggets: Jamal Murray didn’t play in the second half due to right knee soreness. Jokic entered Friday leading the NBA in scoring at 31.5 points a game.
Key moment Johnson’s corner 3-pointer made it 101-95 midway through the fourth but Denver recovered and went on a 16-5 run to lead 117-100 with 2:48 left.
Key stat The Nuggets committed nine turnovers by 2:09 into the second quarter and just five in the last 35:51.
Up next The Nets continue their six-game road trip at Utah on Sunday night. The Nuggets play two straight games in Dallas, starting Sunday.