Game ID: 22401073
Utah Jazz @ Denver Nuggets
Friday, March 28, 2025 at 9:00 PM ET
Ball Arena, Denver, CO
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
DEN 26 31 29 43 129UTA 15 32 18 28 93
DEN vs UTA ScoutingDEN vs UTA 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 3/21 · 1 day's restOUT Jokić missed 2 since 3/17, out tonight
OUT Murray missed 2 since 3/17, returns tonight: 35 min (95% of 37)
OUT Strawther missed 9 since 3/05, out tonight
OUT Šarić missed 10 since 3/02, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 9 since 3/05, out tonight
BACK Gordon back 3/14 after 2, 33 min since (109% of 30)
NEW Westbrook 27 to 34 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 3/23 · 1 day's restOUT Jokić missed 3 since 3/17, out tonight
OUT Strawther missed 10 since 3/05, out tonight
OUT Šarić missed 11 since 3/02, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 10 since 3/05, returns tonight: 38 min (334% of 12)
BACK Murray back 3/21 after 2, 35 min since (95% of 37)
BACK Gordon back 3/14 after 2, 33 min since (108% of 30)
NEW Westbrook 27 to 33 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 3/24 · back-to-backOUT Jokić missed 4 since 3/17, out tonight
OUT Strawther missed 11 since 3/05, out tonight
OUT Šarić missed 12 since 3/02, out tonight
BACK Murray back 3/21 after 2, 37 min since (99% of 37)
BACK Jordan back 3/23 after 10, 38 min since (334% of 12)
NEW Westbrook 27 to 32 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 3/26 · 1 day's restOUT Jokić missed 5 since 3/17, returns tonight: 38 min (102% of 37)
OUT Strawther missed 12 since 3/05, out tonight
OUT Šarić missed 13 since 3/02, out tonight
BACK Murray back 3/21 after 2, 35 min since (95% of 37)
BACK Jordan back 3/23 after 10, 35 min since (301% of 12)
NEW Watson 23 to 30 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 3/28 · 1 day's restOUT Strawther missed 13 since 3/05, out tonight
OUT Šarić missed 14 since 3/02, out tonight
BACK Jokić back 3/26 after 5, 38 min since (102% of 37)
BACK Murray back 3/21 after 2, 36 min since (96% of 37)
BACK Jordan back 3/23 after 10, 24 min since (210% of 12)
NEW Watson 23 to 29 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 4/01 · 3 days' restOUT Strawther missed 14 since 3/05, out tonight
OUT Šarić missed 15 since 3/02, out tonight
BACK Jokić back 3/26 after 5, 35 min since (93% of 37)
BACK Murray back 3/21 after 2, 36 min since (96% of 37)
BACK Jordan back 3/23 after 10, 21 min since (183% of 12)
NEW Watson 23 to 30 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 4/02 · back-to-backOUT Murray missed 2 since 3/28, out tonight
OUT Strawther missed 15 since 3/05, out tonight
OUT Šarić missed 16 since 3/02, returns tonight: 8 min (57% of 13)
BACK Jokić back 3/26 after 5, 41 min since (109% of 37)
BACK Jordan back 3/23 after 10, 18 min since (156% of 12)
NEW Watson 23 to 33 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 4/04 · 1 day's restOUT Murray missed 3 since 3/28, out tonight
OUT Porter Jr. missed 2 since 4/01, returns tonight: 41 min (122% of 33)
OUT Strawther missed 16 since 3/05, returns tonight: 1 min (5% of 20)
BACK Jokić back 3/26 after 5, 41 min since (109% of 37)
BACK Šarić back 4/02 after 16, 8 min since (57% of 13)
NEW Watson 23 to 36 min over the last 4
NEW Pickett 13 to 23 min over the last 5
NEW Jordan 12 to 17 min over the last 5
NEW Nnaji 10 to 16 min over the last 4
DEN availability going into 4/06 · 1 day's restOUT Murray missed 4 since 3/28, out tonight
BACK Jokić back 3/26 after 5, 40 min since (107% of 37)
BACK Porter Jr. back 4/04 after 2, 41 min since (122% of 33)
BACK Strawther back 4/04 after 16, 1 min since (5% of 20)
BACK Šarić back 4/02 after 16, 8 min since (57% of 13)
NEW Watson 23 to 35 min over the last 4
NEW Pickett 13 to 25 min over the last 5
UTA availability going into 3/21 · 1 day's restOUT Collins missed 4 since 3/14, out tonight
OUT Martin missed 3 since 3/16, out tonight
OUT Mykhailiuk missed 2 since 3/17, returns tonight: 19 min (94% of 20)
OUT Harkless missed 18 since 2/12, out tonight
OUT Springer missed 3 since 3/16, out tonight
BACK George back 3/17 after 4, 28 min since (90% of 32)
BACK Markkanen back 3/12 after 9, 24 min since (77% of 31)
BACK Clarkson back 3/12 after 7, 22 min since (85% of 26)
BACK Potter back 3/17 after 4, 19 min since (103% of 19)
BACK Tshiebwe back 3/19 after 7, 18 min since (102% of 18)
UTA availability going into 3/23 · 1 day's restOUT Collins missed 5 since 3/14, out tonight
OUT Martin missed 4 since 3/16, returns tonight: 19 min (83% of 23)
OUT Harkless missed 19 since 2/12, out tonight
OUT Springer missed 4 since 3/16, returns tonight: 0 min (1% of 13)
BACK George back 3/17 after 4, 30 min since (95% of 32)
BACK Mykhailiuk back 3/16 after 2, 22 min since (112% of 20)
BACK Potter back 3/17 after 4, 20 min since (110% of 19)
BACK Tshiebwe back 3/19 after 7, 18 min since (102% of 18)
UTA availability going into 3/25 · 1 day's restOUT Collins missed 6 since 3/14, out tonight
OUT Tshiebwe missed 2 since 3/21, returns tonight: 18 min (98% of 18)
OUT Harkless missed 20 since 2/12, out tonight
BACK George back 3/17 after 4, 30 min since (94% of 32)
BACK Martin back 3/23 after 4, 19 min since (83% of 23)
BACK Mykhailiuk back 3/16 after 2, 22 min since (112% of 20)
BACK Potter back 3/17 after 4, 20 min since (110% of 19)
BACK Springer back 3/23 after 4, 0 min since (1% of 13)
UTA availability going into 3/27 · 1 day's restOUT Collins missed 7 since 3/14, out tonight
OUT Potter missed 2 since 3/23, out tonight
OUT Harkless missed 21 since 2/12, out tonight
BACK George back 3/17 after 4, 28 min since (89% of 32)
BACK Martin back 3/23 after 4, 21 min since (93% of 23)
BACK Mykhailiuk back 3/21 after 2, 14 min since (72% of 20)
BACK Tshiebwe back 3/19 after 7, 18 min since (100% of 18)
BACK Springer back 3/23 after 4, 0 min since (1% of 13)
UTA availability going into 3/28 · back-to-backOUT Collins missed 8 since 3/14, out tonight
OUT Clarkson missed 2 since 3/25, out tonight
OUT Potter missed 3 since 3/23, out tonight
OUT Harkless missed 22 since 2/12, out tonight
BACK Martin back 3/23 after 4, 20 min since (89% of 23)
BACK Mykhailiuk back 3/21 after 2, 14 min since (72% of 20)
BACK Tshiebwe back 3/19 after 7, 18 min since (100% of 18)
BACK Springer back 3/23 after 4, 2 min since (14% of 13)
UTA availability going into 3/31 · 2 days' restOUT Collins missed 9 since 3/14, out tonight
OUT Clarkson missed 3 since 3/25, out tonight
OUT Potter missed 4 since 3/23, out tonight
OUT Harkless missed 23 since 2/12, out tonight
BACK Martin back 3/23 after 4, 19 min since (85% of 23)
BACK Mykhailiuk back 3/21 after 2, 12 min since (61% of 20)
BACK Tshiebwe back 3/25 after 2, 22 min since (120% of 18)
BACK Springer back 3/23 after 4, 2 min since (14% of 13)
NEW Filipowski 21 to 27 min over the last 5
UTA availability going into 4/02 · 1 day's restOUT Collins missed 10 since 3/14, out tonight
OUT Kessler missed 2 since 3/28, returns tonight: 28 min (92% of 30)
OUT Clarkson missed 4 since 3/25, out tonight
OUT Potter missed 5 since 3/23, out tonight
OUT Harkless missed 24 since 2/12, out tonight
BACK Martin back 3/23 after 4, 21 min since (93% of 23)
BACK Tshiebwe back 3/25 after 2, 23 min since (124% of 18)
BACK Springer back 3/23 after 4, 8 min since (62% of 13)
NEW Filipowski 21 to 31 min over the last 5
UTA availability going into 4/04 · 1 day's restOUT Collins missed 11 since 3/14, not on tonight's roster
OUT Clarkson missed 5 since 3/25, not on tonight's roster
OUT Potter missed 6 since 3/23, returns tonight: 24 min (129% of 19)
OUT Harkless missed 25 since 2/12, out tonight
BACK Kessler back 4/02 after 2, 28 min since (92% of 30)
BACK Tshiebwe back 3/25 after 2, 23 min since (124% of 18)
NEW Collier 26 to 31 min over the last 5
NEW Filipowski 21 to 31 min over the last 5
NEW Sensabaugh 20 to 25 min over the last 5
UTA availability going into 4/06 · 1 day's restOUT Tshiebwe missed 2 since 4/02, out tonight
OUT Harkless missed 26 since 2/12, out tonight
BACK Kessler back 4/02 after 2, 28 min since (92% of 30)
BACK Potter back 4/04 after 6, 24 min since (129% of 19)
NEW Collier 26 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Filipowski 21 to 31 min over the last 5
NEW Sensabaugh 20 to 26 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 2-3 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 121, shooting 50 percent and 37 from three, 24 free throws a game; Murray at 24 and Gordon at 17 a game. Without Strawther (13 straight). One day's rest. Utah comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 123, shooting 47 percent and 39 from three, 17 free throws a game; Sexton at 19 and Filipowski at 14 a game. That is 4 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 9 a night. Without Collins (8 straight), Clarkson (2 straight), Potter (3 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Denver has been plus-3 a night and Utah minus-9 and the line, where Denver takes 24 free throws a game to Utah's 17. Call it Denver 122, Utah 112, Denver by 10.
3/21 @ POR 109-128 — DEN notes
DEN lost 109-128. DEN shot 50% (38 of 76) to POR's 54%, 9 of 26 from three. Gordon led with 23 (6 of 10, 1 of 3 from three, 10 of 12 at the line); Westbrook added 18, Porter Jr. 17. Q2 was theirs, 29-24, but the other 3 periods went 104-80 against them. They led by as many as 10. Porter Jr.'s -20 in 29 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/23 @ HOU 116-111 — DEN notes
DEN won 116-111. DEN shot 51% (44 of 87) to HOU's 44%, 10 of 21 from three, and got to the line 26 times to HOU's 34. Murray led with 39 (15 of 28, 4 of 6 from three, 5 of 6 at the line); Porter Jr. added 17, Westbrook 14. The hinge was Q3, 39-22: from level to 17 ahead. Murray was the night's best plus/minus at +19.
3/24 vs CHI 119-129 — DEN notes
DEN lost 119-129. DEN shot 47% (46 of 97) to CHI's 49%, 11 of 36 from three. Murray led with 28 (11 of 22, 4 of 9 from three); Watson added 24, Braun 18. Q1 was theirs, 35-27, but the other 3 periods went 102-84 against them. They led by as many as 13. Porter Jr.'s -22 in 35 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/26 vs MIL 127-117 — DEN notes
DEN won 127-117. DEN shot 54% (49 of 90) to MIL's 52%, 16 of 37 from three, and went to the line 22 times to MIL's 13 — 13 points from the stripe to their 9. Jokić led with 39 (16 of 25, 3 of 6 from three, 4 of 7 at the line); M. Porter Jr. added 23, Braun 19. The hinge was Q1, 38-27: from level to 11 ahead, and the lead reached 15. Watson was the night's best plus/minus at +15.
3/28 vs UTA 129-93 — DEN notes
DEN won 129-93. DEN shot 58% (48 of 83) to UTA's 35%, 11 of 29 from three. Jokić led with 27 (8 of 18, 1 of 5 from three, 10 of 12 at the line); Porter Jr. added 20, Westbrook 17. The hinge was Q4, 43-28: a lead of 21 became 36, and the lead reached 41. Porter Jr. was the night's best plus/minus at +30.
4/01 vs MIN — 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 120 a night and allowing 116, shooting 52 percent and 38 from three, 26 free throws a game; Murray at 24 and Porter Jr. at 19 a game. Without Strawther (14 straight). 3 days' rest. Minnesota comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 109, shooting 50 percent and 40 from three, 22 free throws a game; Edwards at 22 and Randle at 19 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the defense, Minnesota allowing 109 a night to Denver's 116. Call it Denver 116, Minnesota 115, Minnesota keeping it close.
4/02 vs SAS — 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 126 a night and allowing 118, shooting 53 percent and 38 from three, 29 free throws a game; Jokić at 42 and Murray at 28 a game. Without Murray (2 straight), Strawther (15 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. San Antonio comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 126, shooting 43 percent and 35 from three, 20 free throws a game; Castle at 18 and Vassell at 17 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Denver has been plus-2 a night and San Antonio minus-8 and the line, where Denver takes 29 free throws a game to San Antonio's 20. Call it Denver 124, San Antonio 112, Denver by 12.
4/04 @ GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Golden State comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 111, shooting 46 percent and 36 from three, 25 free throws a game; Curry at 31 and Podziemski at 17 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Payton II (4 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Denver comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 118, shooting 50 percent and 35 from three, 29 free throws a game; Jokić at 42 and Porter Jr. at 20 a game. Without Murray (3 straight), Porter Jr. (2 straight), Strawther (16 straight). One day's rest.
So: Golden State wins, and the game turns on the defense, Golden State allowing 111 a night to Denver's 118. Call it Golden State 118, Denver 116, Denver keeping it close.
4/06 vs IND — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 116, shooting 52 percent and 37 from three, 26 free throws a game; Jokić at 40 and Porter Jr. at 22 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Murray (4 straight). One day's rest. Indiana comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 129 a night and allowing 113, shooting 53 percent and 41 from three, 21 free throws a game; Haliburton at 21 and Turner at 17 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Isa. Jackson (71 straight). One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, Denver giving it away 16 times a game to Indiana's 10 and the arc, Indiana at 41 percent from three to Denver's 37. Call it Denver 119, Indiana 118, Indiana keeping it close.
3/21 vs BOS 99-121 — UTA notes
UTA lost 99-121. UTA shot 45% (38 of 84) to BOS's 46%, 14 of 35 from three. UTA turned it over 17 times to BOS's 10, and BOS turned those into 13 steals. The glass went 38-48 against them. Sexton led with 30 (12 of 16, 4 of 6 from three); George added 19, Juzang 11. Q2 was theirs, 30-25, the deficit cut from 14 to 9, but the other 3 periods went 96-69 against them. George's -22 in 33 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/23 vs CLE 91-120 — UTA notes
UTA lost 91-120. UTA shot 36% (32 of 89) to CLE's 46%, 16 of 50 from three, and got to the line 18 times to CLE's 31. UTA turned it over 18 times to CLE's 6, and CLE turned those into 9 steals. Filipowski led with 18 (7 of 13, 4 of 8 from three); Juzang added 12, Sexton 10. Q2 was theirs, 23-23, but the other 3 periods went 97-68 against them. Kessler's -40 in 31 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/25 vs MEM 103-140 — UTA notes
UTA lost 103-140. UTA shot 44% (34 of 78) to MEM's 53%, 17 of 42 from three. UTA turned it over 13 times to MEM's 8. The glass went 28-52 against them. Collier led with 21 (7 of 13, 4 of 8 from three); Sexton added 15, Filipowski 13. Q1 was theirs, 35-29, but the other 3 periods went 111-68 against them. They led by as many as 14. George's -29 in 23 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/27 vs HOU 110-121 — UTA notes
UTA lost 110-121. UTA shot 54% (43 of 79) to HOU's 46%, 11 of 23 from three. UTA turned it over 16 times to HOU's 9. The glass went 33-51 against them. Sexton led with 21 (9 of 20, 3 of 4 from three); George added 17, Sensabaugh 17. Q2 was theirs, 27-26, the deficit cut from 3 to 2, but the other 3 periods went 95-83 against them. Filipowski's -16 in 33 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/28 @ DEN 93-129 — UTA notes
UTA lost 93-129. UTA took 10 more shots (93 to 83), fed by 14 offensive rebounds, but shot 35% to DEN's 58%, 7 of 40 from three. Sexton led with 20 (8 of 18, 1 of 4 from three); George added 18, Filipowski 18. Q2 was theirs, 32-31, the deficit cut from 11 to 10, but the other 3 periods went 98-61 against them. Tshiebwe's -31 in 26 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/31 @ CHA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Charlotte comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 101 a night and allowing 116, shooting 42 percent and 35 from three, 17 free throws a game; Bridges at 16 and Smith Jr. at 14 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Gra. Williams (58 straight), Baugh (6 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Utah comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 99 a night and allowing 126, shooting 43 percent and 34 from three, 19 free throws a game; Sexton at 19 and Filipowski at 14 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 11 a night. Without Collins (9 straight), Clarkson (3 straight), Potter (4 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Charlotte wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Charlotte has been minus-3 a night and Utah minus-11 and the defense, Charlotte allowing 116 a night to Utah's 126. Call it Charlotte 114, Utah 109.
4/02 @ HOU — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 111, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 25 free throws a game; Green at 25 and Sengun at 20 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. One day's rest. Utah comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 101 a night and allowing 124, shooting 42 percent and 31 from three, 19 free throws a game; Sexton at 16 and Filipowski at 16 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 10 a night. Without Collins (10 straight), Kessler (2 straight), Clarkson (4 straight). One day's rest.
So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-8 a night and Utah minus-10 and the defense, Houston allowing 111 a night to Utah's 124. Call it Houston 121, Utah 106, Houston by 15.
4/04 @ IND — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Indiana comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 115, shooting 51 percent and 42 from three, 17 free throws a game; Haliburton at 21 and Turner at 15 a game. Without Mathurin (3 straight), Isa. Jackson (70 straight). One day's rest. Utah comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 103 a night and allowing 129, shooting 43 percent and 30 from three, 20 free throws a game; Sexton at 18 and Collier at 16 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 15 a night. Without Collins (11 straight), Clarkson (5 straight), Potter (6 straight). One day's rest.
So: Indiana wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Indiana has been minus-1 a night and Utah minus-15 and the arc, Indiana at 42 percent from three to Utah's 30. Call it Indiana 124, Utah 110, Indiana by 14.
4/06 @ ATL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Atlanta comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 123, shooting 48 percent and 35 from three, 22 free throws a game; Young at 24 and Daniels at 16 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Johnson (33 straight), Capela (12 straight), Mathews (5 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Utah comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 129, shooting 42 percent and 28 from three, 20 free throws a game; Sexton at 22 and George at 17 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 10 a night. Without Tshiebwe (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: Atlanta wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Atlanta has been plus-0 a night and Utah minus-10 and the arc, Atlanta at 35 percent from three to Utah's 28. Call it Atlanta 122, Utah 114.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
DENAG A. Gordon
CB C. Braun
DJ D. Jordan
HT H. Tyson
JP J. Pickett
JO Jokic
MP M. Porter Jr.
NJ N. Jokić
PH P. Hall
PW P. Watson
RW R. Westbrook
SJ S. Jones
TA T. Alexander
ZN Z. Nnaji
UTABS B. Sensabaugh
CS C. Sexton
CW C. Williams
IC I. Collier
JJ J. Juzang
KF K. Filipowski
KG K. George
KM K. Martin
OT O. Tshiebwe
SM S. Mykhailiuk
DEN/UTA 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 has 27 points and 14 rebounds in Nuggets' 129-93 romp over Jazz
Nikola Jokic had 27 points and 14 rebounds before sitting the fourth quarter and the Denver Nuggets beat the Utah Jazz 129-93 on Friday night to pad their lead in the fight for the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference.
Denver leads the Los Angeles Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies by two games. The Nuggets trail Houston by 1 1/2 games for the second seed.
Jokic had 11 rebounds in the first quarter, nearly matching his game average of 12.8. Michael Porter Jr . finished with 20 points, and Christian Braun had 16.
Nuggets point guard Jamal Murray didn’t play. Utah was missing Lauri Markkanen and John Collins , its top two scorers.
Collin Sexton led the Jazz with 20 points, and Kyle Filipowski had 18 points and 13 rebounds.
Denver finished the third quarter with an 11-2 run and outscored Utah 25-8 to open the fourth.
Takeaways Jazz: Coach Will Hardy called out his team following a lackluster second half against Memphis on Monday night. Utah played Houston tough on Thursday night and hung with Denver until the fourth.
Nuggets: With Murray out with a tight right hamstring, coach Michael Malone opted to go with a bigger starting lineup and brought Russell Westbrook off the bench. Peyton Watson and Braun were the starting backcourt.
Key moment Jokic converted another buzzer-beating heave, this one from the top of the 3-point arc on the other side of halfcourt to beat the halftime clock. He hit a near full-court shot against Sacramento on Jan. 23.
Key stat Watson’s four field goals were dunks, three of which came in a span of 1:06 in the third quarter when Denver built a 15-point lead.
Up next The Jazz continue their five-game trip at Charlotte on Monday night. The Nuggets host Minnesota on Tuesday night.