On January 11th, Beijing time, the NBA regular season continued with the Nuggets hosting the Nets. Despite the absence of several key players for the Nets, they started off strong and took control of the game. However, the Nuggets fought back to take the lead and extended their advantage, leading by as many as 22 points at one point. The Nets made a comeback attempt in the fourth quarter, narrowing the gap, but ultimately fell short. In the end, the Nuggets defeated the Nets 124-105.
The Nets' performance was commendable, as they initially took control of the game with multiple players contributing. Unfortunately, the lack of a primary scorer proved costly, resulting in a 19-point loss. A total of seven Nets players scored in double figures, with Keon Johnson leading the way with 22 points, Martin adding 19, and Simmons contributing 10. Several role players seized the opportunity to showcase their abilities, but it wasn't enough to avoid a crushing defeat.
On the Nuggets' side, Murray's early exit due to injury did not deter Jokic, who continued his dominant form, being in a league of his own on the court. In 38 minutes of play, he shot 14 out of 21, accumulating 35 points, 12 rebounds, and 15 assists for a triple-double. His plus-minus rating of +33, along with four steals, were all team highs. Jokic was unstoppable on the court, solidifying his status as the top player in the paint. This was his 15th triple-double of the season, ranking first in the league.
Westbrook also had an impressive outing, stepping up in Murray's absence. He played 36 minutes, shooting 8 out of 17 from the field, 2 out of 5 from three-point range, and 7 out of 9 from the free-throw line, finishing with a triple-double of 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. His plus-minus rating was +21. Westbrook has recently secured his spot as a starter and is playing better than ever. This was his 202nd career triple-double, maintaining his position as the all-time leader. Additionally, this marked the second time this season that he and Jokic have both recorded triple-doubles in the same game, the 17th occurrence in NBA history for teammates.
The Nuggets are currently in good form, securing a two-game winning streak and solidifying their position as fourth in the Western Conference with a record of 22 wins and 15 losses. As other teams falter, the Nuggets have managed to hold their ground. If they can re-enter the top three in the West, Jokic will have a chance to contend for the MVP title. In the latest official MVP rankings, Jokic was surpassed by Alexander, but both are strong contenders for the award this season.