Nikola Jokic's Triple-double Fuels Nuggets Comeback To Beat Jazz

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Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic and Payton Pritchard drove key NBA wins, with each delivering major scoring nights that affected the Western Conference picture. The Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics all claimed important victories, built on strong individual performances and decisive fourth-quarter stretches against the Utah Jazz, Brooklyn Nets and Atlanta Hawks.

The Nuggets erased a big deficit to edge Utah 135-129, while the Lakers beat Brooklyn 116-99 and Boston handled Atlanta 109-102. Jokic posted another triple-double, Doncic reached 41 points despite a costly technical foul, and Pritchard stepped forward for Boston, with Jaylen Brown sidelined because of Achilles tendinitis.

Doncic scored 41 points with eight rebounds in the Lakers’ 116-99 win over the Nets, but also collected a 16th technical foul that currently triggers a one-game suspension. Austin Reaves added 26 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter, while LeBron James supplied 14 points and eight assists as Los Angeles strengthened third place in the Western Conference.

Brooklyn slipped to a 10th straight defeat despite a strong challenge for three quarters that erased an early double-digit gap. Josh Minott finished with 18 points and six rebounds, while Nic Claxton and Ziaire Williams each scored 16. However, Minott, Claxton, Williams and Noah Clowney all remained on the bench throughout the final period.

The Nets still managed to lead in the fourth quarter of their 20th loss in 22 games, before the Lakers’ late push settled matters. Doncic knocked down five three-pointers during what was already the 15th 40-point display of this season. Unless league officials rescind the latest technical, as with last week’s decision involving Goga Bitadze, Doncic faces suspension for one game.

Jokic produced 33 points, 16 rebounds and 12 assists as Denver fought back to defeat Utah 135-129, overturning a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter. Jamal Murray scored 31 points, two days after a season-high 53, while Cam Johnson hit crucial late three-pointers, helping the Nuggets protect fourth place in a tight Western Conference race.

The Nuggets trailed 120-107 in the final quarter before Jokic sparked the surge with a layup. Tim Hardaway Jr., who ended with 21 points, followed with a three-pointer and two free throws, trimming the gap to 124-121. After Ace Bailey made a baseline jumper, Jokic answered with a turnaround, and Johnson buried a three to level the score.

The sides traded three-pointers in the closing minutes until Johnson, who finished with 12 points, struck again from deep with 46 seconds left, giving Denver the lead for good. Jokic’s performance marked a fourth consecutive triple-double and the 31st this season. Utah’s Kyle Filipowski scored 25 points but did not register in the fourth quarter as the Nuggets took control.

NBA: Pritchard and Tatum lift Boston Celtics over Hawks

Pritchard delivered 36 points for Boston, while Jayson Tatum added 26 points and 12 rebounds in the 109-102 victory over Atlanta. The Celtics played without All-Star guard Jaylen Brown because of Achilles tendinitis, yet still overcame a Hawks side that arrived with the Eastern Conference’s best post-All-Star record at 15-2.

Jalen Johnson paced Atlanta with 29 points, CJ McCollum scored 21 and Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 20, but the Hawks’ shooting cooled after a strong opening stretch. Atlanta stayed close following an overtime win against Eastern Conference leader Detroit, entering the last quarter within reach of a Boston team holding the conference’s second-best record.

Tatum struggled from the field, missing 16 of 24 attempts, yet still influenced key moments. A spinning drive to the basket pushed Boston ahead 97-86 with 7:29 remaining, giving the hosts breathing space that they protected to the final buzzer. Across the league, the night’s results strengthened the positions of the Nuggets, Lakers and Celtics, while leaving the Jazz, Nets and Hawks searching for better late-game answers.