Nikola Jokic Returns With 31 Points And 12 Rebounds In Knee Injury Comeback

Nikola Jokic returned from injury with 31 points and 12 rebounds, while Luka Doncic produced a triple-double by half-time, as a busy NBA schedule featured strong wins for the Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns.

The Nuggets beat the Los Angeles Clippers 122-109, the Lakers eased past the Washington Wizards 142-111, and the Suns handled the Cleveland Cavaliers 126-113, with all three winning teams leaning on standout offensive performances from their primary playmakers.

Jokic played for the first time since hurting a left knee in the first half of Denver’s 29 December defeat in Miami, having missed 16 games. Denver went 10-6 without the three-time NBA MVP, a run that also featured long absences for starters Cameron Johnson and Christian Braun.

Despite coach David Adelman limiting Jokic to 25 minutes, the 30-year-old centre still recorded a 29th double-double of the season. That minute total was Jokic’s second lowest of the campaign, yet the performance underlined Denver’s comfort when Jokic is directing the offence and controlling the glass.

Jokic changed the game in the fourth quarter. The Serbian scored 11 points in a burst of 3:47, stretching Denver’s advantage from five points to 16 and effectively ending the contest. Tim Hardaway Jr. supported the effort with 22 points, as the Nuggets moved to 7-3 in the second leg of back-to-back sets this season.

Los Angeles entered the matchup having won 16 of the previous 19 games, the league’s best record across that spell. James Harden led the Clippers with 25 points and nine assists, but the defence could not slow Jokic during the decisive final-period stretch.

Earlier, Doncic compiled 37 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds for the Lakers against Washington, securing a triple-double before half-time. By the break, Doncic already had 26 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds, with the 10th board arriving in the closing seconds of the second quarter.

The last NBA player to record a triple-double in a first half was Jalen Johnson of the Atlanta Hawks on 5 December. Johnson’s line that night featured 11 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds in one half, providing the benchmark that Doncic matched from a production standpoint.

LeBron James added 20 points for the Lakers and offered a reminder of longevity at age 41, catching an alley-oop and finishing with only the left hand in the first half. The home crowd began chanting for Bronny James before the midway point of the third quarter, as the game drifted out of Washington’s reach.

Bronny entered with 5:29 left in the fourth quarter and managed a one-handed dunk on a fast-break opportunity, drawing a loud response from the arena. Deandre Ayton also played a major role for Los Angeles, scoring 28 points on 12-of-14 shooting and collecting 13 rebounds during the 142-111 victory.

NBA: Brooks and Suns extend streak, end Cavs run

Dillon Brooks delivered 27 points as Phoenix completed a successful back-to-back set, defeating Cleveland 126-113 and halting the Cavaliers’ season-long five-game winning streak. The result followed Phoenix’s 114-96 win over Detroit, where supporters received "Dillon the Villain" shirts before Brooks scored a career-high 40 points.

The Suns are now on a three-game winning run, achieved while leading scorer Devin Booker remains out with a sprained ankle. Against Cleveland, Brooks shot 9-of-14 overall, made two of four three-point attempts, and converted seven of eight free throws, spearheading a strong perimeter performance from Phoenix.

Phoenix finished 23-of-48 from beyond the arc, relying heavily on outside shooting to control the contest. DeAndre Hunter led Cleveland with 17 points, while Donovan Mitchell and Jaylon Tyson each added 16. Mitchell also committed eight turnovers, which proved costly as the Cavaliers tried to respond.

The night across the NBA highlighted the influence of elite playmakers and shooters, with Jokic, Doncic and Brooks each shaping decisive wins. Denver, the Lakers and Phoenix all strengthened their positions through efficient scoring and timely runs, while the Clippers, Wizards and Cavaliers saw recent momentum checked by opponents executing better in key stretches.