Report: Markieff Morris' Injury Return Makes Heat 'Uneasy' After Jokic Altercation
Feb 6, 2022
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 8: Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets hits Markieff Morris (8) of the Miami Heat with a retaliatory blow after Morris bumped Jokic near mid court during the fourth quarter of Denver"u2019s 113-96 win on Monday, November 8, 2021. The altercation resulted in an ejection for Jokic and a flagrant and two for Morris. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
The Miami Heat are reportedly "uneasy" about clearing Markieff Morris to play following his altercation with Nikola Jokic in a Nov. 8 loss to the Denver Nuggets, according to Barry Jackson and Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald.
Jackson and Chiang write:
The Heat’s specific medical concern with Morris isn’t clear, but the sources said it was significant enough to make the Heat uneasy about clearing him to play, at least to this point, and significant enough to leave the team concerned about liability issues.
Jokic was ejected from that matchup after running up and barging into Morris' back at half court. The incident occurred after Morris body checked Jokic and elbowed him in the ribs.
After being shoved, Morris laid on the court in pain for a good amount of time before heading to the locker room. Officials assessed Jokic a flagrant 2 foul, and he was later suspended for one game.
Morris, meanwhile, was fined $50,000 for the altercation.
While the Heat reportedly don't feel comfortable clearing Morris, who has missed the team's last 44 games, the 32-year-old tweeted that he will be back this season and that he has been cleared to play.
Both sides concerned. Don’t trip though you’ll see me again this year! That’s a Fact! https://t.co/2U4biVqgK0
If he has truly been cleared to play, it's uncertain when he'll take the court.
Morris, the 13th overall pick in 2011, joined the Heat on a one-year deal ahead of the 2021-22 campaign. He averaged 7.7 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 10 games before being sidelined.
Morris has mostly bounced around the NBA since being drafted by the Phoenix Suns. He spent the first four and a half seasons of his career in Phoenix before being traded to the Washington Wizards during the 2015-16 season.
The Kansas product spent two full seasons in Washington before getting dealt to the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2018-19 season. The Pelicans waived him, and he signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder. After that, he joined the Detroit Pistons for the 2019-20 season before heading to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he spent the entire 2020-21 season.
Miami has been just fine in Morris' absence. The Heat are second in the Eastern Conference with a 34-20 record, and that's quite impressive considering Jimmy Butler has also been in-and-out of the lineup because of injuries.
Report: Nuggets Get $2.7M Disabled Player Exception After Michael Porter Jr. Injury
Jan 31, 2022
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 21: Michael Porter Jr. #1 of the Denver Nuggets warms up against the Memphis Grizzlies at Ball Arena on January 21, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Mito/Clarkson Creative/Getty Images)
The Denver Nuggets have reportedly received a $2.7 million disabled player exception for Michael Porter Jr., according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.
The young forward underwent back surgery on Dec. 1 and doesn't have a timetable for his return, though disabled player exceptions are generally granted to teams for season-ending injuries.
On Friday, ESPN's Zach Lowe reported that there remains a "chance" both Porter and Jamal Murray could return this season, and while Monday's development would seem to cast that in some doubt, it doesn't guarantee Porter won't return.
Per another source: “Zero correlation” to whether MPJ returns this season.
Getting either back, let alone both, would be huge for a shorthanded Nuggets team that has managed to go 28-21 this season and is currently fifth in the Western Conference.
Much of that comes down to the otherworldly production of defending MVP Nikola Jokic (26 PPG, 13.7 RPG, 7.8 APG, 37.8 percent from three), who has kept the team in the running, while role players like Will Barton, Aaron Gordon and Monte Morris have stepped up.
Porter, 23, averaged just 9.9 points and 6.6 rebounds in nine games this year, though he had a breakout 2020-21 season, putting up 19 points and 7.3 rebounds per game while shooting 54.2 percent from the field and 44.5 percent from three.
His scoring ability, especially from the perimeter, has been missed and makes Porter's potential sky-high. His injury history is very concerning, however.
Porter's December back surgery was the third time he's had such a procedure. He missed his entire rookie season in 2018-19 after having surgery on his back and played in just 55 games in the 2019-20 season and 61 games last year.
Despite those concerns, the Nuggets still signed him to a five-year max extension in September that could be worth up to $207 million. He's clearly a huge part of the team's future plans, though it's unclear if he will be able to return this year.
Aaron Gordon Hits GW Shot to Lift Nuggets Past Clippers in OT; Nikola Jokic Drops 49
Jan 20, 2022
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 19: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets dunks the ball against the LA Clippers on January 19, 2022 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Denver Nuggets are starting to find some consistency.
Denver defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 130-128 in overtime in Wednesday's thrilling Western Conference showdown at Ball Arena. Nikola Jokic was brilliant and led the way for the victors, who improved to 23-20 overall and 5-2 in their last seven games even though they continue to play without Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr.
The reigning MVP was unstoppable in crunch time, but it was his cross-court pass while facing a double team to Aaron Gordon for the winning three in overtime that stood out the most.
Reggie Jackson and Ivica Zubac played well in defeat for the Clippers, who dropped to 22-24 as they attempt to tread water without Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
The realistic goal at this point for the Nuggets, who entered play sixth in the Western Conference, is to avoid the play-in tournament and hope to get healthier for the postseason. That likely will mean Jokic putting the team on his back on a nightly basis as he bolsters his MVP campaign.
He did it again in the first half of Wednesday's game as the only Denver player in double figures by intermission, but the Clippers also made him work for it by swarming him with multiple defenders every time he touched the ball.
His importance was never clearer than when he was on the bench as the Nuggets' bench was thoroughly outplayed in the second quarter when their star was resting. The result was a double-digit halftime deficit for a home team that looked outmatched even with an MVP candidate.
And then Jokic put the team on his back again during a 17-point third quarter that featured the big man stepping beyond the arc, grabbing offensive rebounds, torching single coverage whenever he saw it and then facilitating when the doubles came. It was an absolute clinic, and the Clippers didn't have the star power to counter on the other end.
It wasn't just a one-man show, though, as Gordon hit from the outside and attacked the basket as a go-to option when Jokic was either on the bench or doubled. Monte Morris was also aggressive in the fourth quarter and mixed in some two-man approach with Gordon.
The contributions were critical since Jokic didn't score in the fourth quarter until there were fewer than three minutes remaining. Naturally, crunch time featured nine points and an assist from the three-time All-Star in those final three minutes, although he couldn't hit a contested jumper at the buzzer to avoid overtime.
As if there was ever a doubt, Jokic was in full control in overtime with 11 points in the extra frame. He drove off the bounce like a guard, scored on offensive rebounds multiple times and then dazzled with the final pass.
Reggie Jackson, Ivica Zubac Come Up Just Short
The Clippers surely didn't think they'd be fighting for position in the play-in tournament coming into the season, but that's life without a healthy Leonard and George. Their returns will make them more dangerous come playoff time, but it is a nightly question about who will lead the charge in the meantime.
It turns out it was a little bit from everyone in the early going as 10 Clippers scored on the way to a commanding 12-point halftime lead.
Jackson took control with his outside shooting and ability to get into the lane, while Zubac provided an interior scorer and Serge Ibaka showed toughness on the boards. Five players also scored off the bench, with Brandon Boston Jr. leading the way for the secondary unit with his three-pointers.
Los Angeles seized control with a 21-2 run in the second quarter, as the Nuggets struggled to match its overall depth.
That control slipped away in the third quarter, though, as Jokic took over right as Los Angeles went cold for stretches on the offensive end. Fortunately for the visitors, Eric Bledsoe scored eight points in the final two minutes to keep the game tied heading into the fourth.
Bledsoe's spurt set the stage for Jackson in crunch time. The guard drove right at Jokic multiple times, mixed in some pull-up shots and was a willing passer when Denver started directing more attention at him, including for key triples by Luke Kennard and Boston.
Throw in Zubac carving out position down low and scoring on the blocks, and the Clippers managed to force overtime even with Jokic's incredible showing.
It was more of the same in overtime as Jackson assisted multiple Zubac baskets in an effort to match Jokic.
Los Angeles even got a break when Denver was called for a technical foul when the bench players ran onto the court to celebrate Gordon's triple, but Jackson's final shot came up just short in a back-and-forth thriller.
What's Next?
Both teams are in action Friday when the Nuggets host the Memphis Grizzlies and the Clippers travel to face the Philadelphia 76ers.
Report: Bol Bol to Celtics, Bryn Forbes to Nuggets in 3-Team Trade with Spurs
Jan 19, 2022
Denver Nuggets center Bol Bol (10) drives into Houston Rockets forward Kenyon Martin Jr. (6) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Multiple players are reportedly on the move Tuesday night with weeks remaining until the NBA trade deadline.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets and San Antonio Spurs agreed to a three-way trade. In the deal, the Celtics will receive center Bol Bol and guard PJ Dozier, while guard Bryn Forbes is headed to the Nuggets and forward Juancho Hernangomez will land with the Spurs.
ESPN's Tim Bontemps noted that this is a cost-cutting move for the Celtics that gets them nearly out of the luxury tax:
This move gets Boston very close to ducking out of the luxury tax completely. Celtics have an open roster spot after cutting Jabari Parker earlier this month. https://t.co/GzZkUyWMDv
Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported earlier Tuesday that Bol is set to undergo surgery on his foot that will keep him sidelined for 8-12 weeks. The Nuggets had attempted to deal Bol to the Detroit Pistons last week, but the trade was nullified when the Pistons "had an issue with Bol's physical," according to Mike Singer of the Denver Post.
In three NBA seasons, Bol has appeared in just 53 games, but it wasn't because of injuries. Denver chose to bring him along slowly after he underwent foot surgery in his freshman season at Oregon. While opportunities to crack the lineup were scarce with the Nuggets, Bol managed to average 15.6 points and 2.0 blocks per 36 minutes in his career.
Dozier is out for the year with a torn ACL and will be a free agent after this season.
The Nuggets are getting back a sharpshooter in Forbes, who averages 41.7 percent from three-point range. Forbes adds depth to Denver's backcourt as point guard Jamal Murray works his way back from a torn ACL.
Hernangomez has played in 18 games for Boston and averages 1.1 points, which is a career-low. The seventh-year forward should have more playing opportunities with the Spurs. Wojnarowski added that San Antonio also acquired Denver's 2028 second-round pick in the deal.
Report: Nuggets' Bol Bol to Have Foot Surgery, Miss 8-12 Weeks After Failed Trade
Jan 18, 2022
HOUSTON, TX - JANUARY 1: Bol Bol #10 of the Denver Nuggets looks on during the game against the Houston Rockets on January 1, 2022 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets forward Bol Bol will undergo surgery on his foot that will sideline him for eight-to-12 weeks, according to Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic.
The Detroit Pistons initially announced a trade for Bol earlier this month, but the deal was voided after the Pistons "had an issue with Bol’s physical," per Mike Singer of the Denver Post.
Singer reported the Nuggets were "taken aback by the news."
Bol has only appeared in 53 games across three seasons in the NBA, but he has been considered injury-free during this time.
The 22-year-old previously underwent foot surgery during his lone season at Oregon, limiting him to just nine career NCAA games. It likely hurt his draft stock, as he fell to the 44th pick in 2019 after averaging an impressive 21.0 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game for the Ducks.
Denver brought him along slowly with just seven appearances in 2019-20, referring to his absences as injury management from the prior surgery.
Bol has gotten more chances over the past two years but still averaged just 5.2 minutes across 46 games.
The versatile 7'2" forward has impressed when on the court, averaging 15.6 points and 2.0 blocks per 36 minutes in his career while hitting 37.8 percent of three-point shots. The opportunities have still been few and far between in Denver.
Bol is now set to be a restricted free agent in the offseason, with the latest injury creating even more uncertainty about his future.
Nikola Jokic, Will Barton Star as Nuggets Cruise Past Shorthanded Trail Blazers
Jan 14, 2022
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, right, looks to pass the ball as Portland Trail Blazers forward Robert Covington defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Denver Nuggets sailed to a 140-108 home win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday at Ball Arena.
Denver dropped 41 first-quarter points en route to a 72-55 halftime lead. The Nuggets also shot 63.4 percent from the field and hit 21 of 42 three-pointers. Will Barton's 21 points led the team, and reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic added 20. Facundo Campazzo added an 18-point, 12-assist double-double off the bench.
In addition to ongoing absences from guards Damian Lillard (abdominal tendinopathy) and CJ McCollum (collapsed lung), the Blazers were without Norman Powell (health and safety protocols), Anfernee Simons (personal reasons), Larry Nance Jr. (right knee inflammation) and Cody Zeller (right knee: patellar fracture).
As a result, Portland struggled. All five Blazer starters did score at least 10 points, led by Ben McLemore's 18.
The 21-19 Nuggets have won three of their last four games. The 16-25 Blazers' two-game win streak snapped.
Notable Performances
Blazers G Ben McLemore: 18 points
Blazers G Dennis Smith Jr.: 17 points, 8 assists
Blazers C Jusuf Nurkic: 10 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists
Nuggets F Will Barton: 21 points
Nuggets C Nikola Jokic: 20 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists
Nuggets G Facundo Campazzo: 18 points, 12 assists, 4 steals
Denver Puts on Offensive Clinic
Denver has an opportunity to get into a groove midway through this season with the team beginning a six-game homestand Thursday.
The Nuggets certainly got on the right track to start as they decimated the Blazers' defense.
The paint was routinely wide open, and Jokic took advantage:
Even when there was some resistance, it didn't appear to matter much. Jeff Green notably turned back the clock multiple times on this night as the 35-year-old dunked all over the Blazers. He also had 15 first-half points.
The bench also had little issue with the Blazers' second unit. Campazzo notably got away with a basketball nutmeg against Trendon Watford en route to the Denver bench outscoring Portland's reserves 66-39:
Denver ultimately outscored Portland by at least four points in each quarter and even finished strong by posting 39 points to the Blazers' 28 in the final frame.
The Nuggets were heavy favorites going into this one given Portland's situation, but credit to Denver for putting its foot on the gas early and leaving no doubt who would win this game late.
Shorthanded Blazers Can't Keep Pace on Road
There isn't much to take away from Portland's performance Thursday. They were missing their two All-Stars, their top backup guard, their No. 1 wing player and key members of the frontcourt rotation.
To put the absences in perspective, only three of the nine players who suited up for the Blazers in their 124-121 opening-night loss to the Sacramento Kings took part in this game (Jusuf Nurkic, Robert Covington, Nassir Little).
Still, the defensive effort left much to be desired, with the Nuggets getting wide-open looks all night. The game felt over after Denver scored 41 first-quarter points despite impressive offensive performances from McLemore (4-of-9 from three-point range) and Smith (7-of-12 from the field).
It called into question the team's struggles on the road. Portland is 14-11 at home but just 2-14 away from the Moda Center.
The Blazers are still in position to fight for a play-in tournament spot with the bottom six teams in the Western Conference all having 17 or fewer wins, thereby making the race for 10th place wide open. But Portland has to make up nine road games to even out its ledger, and continued struggles away from home will only dig a deeper hole.
The other problem is those days of reckoning are coming up, with Portland playing its next five games on the road against Eastern Conference opponents. Four of those teams are .500 or better, so Portland could be looking at an extended skid through January.
If the Blazers play like they did Thursday, that'll certainly happen, but this team is obviously capable of far better performances. The storyline of this season has also not been written yet with 40 games left to be played, so hope still springs for Portland despite a dreadful night in Denver.
What's Next?
Both teams play Saturday.
Portland will head east to face the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena at 7 p.m. ET. The Los Angeles Lakers will visit Denver at 9 p.m.
Donatas Motiejunas Rips Pistons After Bol Bol Report: They're 'Destroying' Futures
Jan 13, 2022
San Antonio Spurs forward Donatas Motiejunas (28) in the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Tuesday, April 23, 2019, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Former NBA center Donatas Motiejunas
took aim at the Detroit Pistons organization Thursday for its treatment of
young players.
Mike Singer of the Denver Post reported
Thursday the Pistons backed out of a trade with the Denver Nuggets
for 22-year-old center Bol Bol because of an "issue" with his
physical.
In 2016, Detroit had a deal in place to
acquire Motiejunas, who now plays for AS Monaco in Europe, as part of
a three-team trade but it later backed out of the agreement because
of his physical results.
"I was failed on physicals and told
by Detroit doctors I will not play basketball again ... 6 years later
I am still here and have many years to go," Motiejunas wrote on
Twitter. "They destroying young players names and futures in NBA by
doing this."
Further details about what led the Bol
deal to fall through weren't immediately released, but Singer reported the Nuggets were "taken aback by the news." They were set to receive
Rodney McGruder in the trade.
Motiejunas previously expressed
frustration with how the Pistons handled his situation in March 2016.
The Lithuanian post player told Basket
News (via Aaron McMann of MLive) he's confident the physical wasn't
the reason the trade was ultimately called off:
The medical examination is a
funny thing. The team doctor simply says whether you pass or don't,
although they may not even do any checks. Those 48 hours actually
just let the team decide whether they want you or not. The Pistons
announced I did not pass the medical, although I surely did pass it
and played even before it. I just got 'screwed.' The injury was a
pretense to call off the trade. They changed their minds.
Meanwhile, Bol's proposed trade to Detroit created intrigue because it paved the way for the 7'2'' center to get the most playing time he's had in his career. He's played a minuscule role for
Denver since being selected in the second round of the 2019 draft.
He's averaged 2.4 points and 1.4
rebounds in 5.8 minutes across 14 games this season.
Instead of becoming part of the
Pistons' frontcourt rotation, he'll return to the Nuggets and play a
bit role behind Nikola Jokic, JaMychal Green and Zeke Nnaji at the 5.
It wouldn't be a surprise if the
Nuggets put him back on the block in search of wing depth ahead of
the Feb. 10 NBA trade deadline, though.
Austin Rivers Doesn't Think Ben Simmons Plays Again for 76ers amid Trade Rumors
Jan 13, 2022
Denver Nuggets guard Austin Rivers dribbles during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Denver Nuggets guard Austin Rivers doesn't believe Ben Simmons will ever don a Philadelphia 76ers uniform again.
In an interview with TMZ Sports on Wednesday, Rivers gave his thoughts on the Simmons-Sixers saga:
When asked if he sees Simmons playing for the 76ers this season, Rivers said: "No man, probably not. I don't think so. If he hasn't suited up by now, then I don't think so."
Rivers is uniquely qualified to speak on the subject given that his father, Doc Rivers, is the Sixers head coach.
Simmons has not appeared in a game for the 76ers this season after requesting a trade, but the Sixers have yet to find a suitable trade partner or a package they believe is worthy of the three-time All-Star and reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year runner-up.
Rivers expressed his belief that the 76ers have done all they could to appease Simmons and smooth out the situation, saying: "S--t, they tried, bro. Look how long it's been. I think they tried to keep him. He wants to go somewhere else, obviously."
The Sixers were the top seed in the Eastern Conference last season with Simmons as one of their key players along with Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris.
Philly is still a playoff team without Simmons, but it has dropped to fifth place in the East this season with a 23-17 mark.
While it doesn't look like anything can save the relationship between Simmons and the Sixers now, Rivers wants Simmons to have success in the future, saying: "I just want the young man to be happy. He's talented. He's a great player."
Unless they plan to wait until the offseason, the 76ers have until the Feb. 10 trade deadline to move on from Simmons this season.
Report: Bol Bol Trade to Pistons from Nuggets off Because of 'Issue' with Physical
Jan 13, 2022
Denver Nuggets center Bol Bol (10) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Three days after a trade agreement between the Detroit Pistons and Denver Nuggets involving Bol Bol, the deal has reportedly been voided.
Per Mike Singer of the Denver Post, the Pistons backed out of the trade due to an "issue" with Bol's physical.
The Pistons announced on Monday they acquired Bol from Denver in exchange for Rodney McGruder and draft considerations.
It's unclear what the issue was with Bol's physical. He has only played in 14 games this season, but there was no indication his absences have been injury-related.
Bol only played in nine games at Oregon during the 2018-19 season due to a foot injury that required surgery. He missed most of his rookie season in the NBA recovering from the procedure.
Since the start of last season, Bol hasn't had any significant injury issues.
Denver head coach Michael Malone has struggled to find playing time for Bol because of the team's frontcourt depth.
Reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic has never missed more than nine games in a season in his career. Aaron Gordon and Jeff Green are two of Denver's most important role players.
Bol has only appeared in 53 regular-season games in three seasons. The 22-year-old was the No. 44 pick in the 2019 NBA draft by the Heat, who traded his draft rights to the Nuggets.
Bojan Bogdanovic Drops 36 as Jazz Beat Nuggets Despite Nikola Jokic's Dominance
Jan 6, 2022
Utah Jazz forward Bojan Bogdanovic, left, looks to pass the ball as Denver Nuggets guard Monte Morris defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Utah Jazz remained one of the NBA's hottest teams with a 115-109 road win over the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday. Bojan Boganovic led the way with a season-high 36 points and 13 rebounds as Utah improved to 28-10.
It was Bogdanovic's first 30-point, 10-rebound game of his career. Donovan Mitchell added 17 points. Utah was playing without star center Rudy Gobert, who sat out with a non-COVID-19 illness.
For the Jazz, it was their 10th consecutive road victory and eighth win in their last nine games. The only loss came to the Golden State Warriors, who have the best record in the league. With the victory, Utah remains undefeated against Northwest Division opponents at 9-0.
The Nuggets fell to 18-18 after their second consecutive loss. Nikola Jokic led the team with a monster triple-double with 26 points, 21 rebounds and 11 assists.
Notable Stats
F Bojan Bogdanovic, UTAH: 36 points, 13 rebounds
G Donovan Mitchell, UTAH: 17 points (8-of-22 FG)
C Nikola Jokic, DEN: 26 points, 21 rebounds, 11 assists
Jazz Ride Bogdanovic's Big Night to Victory
The best thing Utah has going for it this season is its depth. The Jazz can win in many different ways, with different players taking over at different times.
On Wednesday night, it was Bogdanovic who led the way. He started the game hot, and the team kept feeding him. Known for being a three-point specialist, he instead did most of his damage from inside the arc and at the free-throw line. He finished with 19 of his 36 points in the first half.
But it was Bogdanovic's night. He took advantage of his size and punished Denver's smaller wing players with frequent post-ups. He was also able to get to the free-throw line seemingly at will.
It was Bogdanovic's fourth consecutive game with over 20 points, his longest stretch of the season.
Utah also got strong production from its bench, as Jordan Clarkson and Rudy Gay combined for 31 points.
As long as the Jazz continue to get contributions from multiple players, Utah will remain among the top contenders in the Western Conference.
Jokic Outstanding Once Again in Defeat
The reigning MVP gave it his all on Wednesday, but it, unfortunately, wasn't enough against a deep Utah team. Despite playing from behind for most of the night, Jokic did his best to carry the Nuggets on both ends of the floor.
Denver also got solid play out of some surprising sources. Will Barton and Monte Morris scored 20 points apiece. Aaron Gordon hit his first seven shots from the field and finished with 17 points.
But the Nuggets couldn't overtake the Jazz down the stretch despite getting the lead down to as few as three points.
It was Jokic's seventh triple-double of the season and second 20-20-10 triple-double of his career. For Denver, it might be discouraging that such a strong performance wasn't enough to get a win. However, the Nuggets remain without its two best players behind Jokic in Jamal Murray (knee) and Michael Porter Jr. (back).
While Denver's roster remains thin, the onus will fall on Jokic every night to carry the team to victory. But as evidenced in Wednesday's game, one player is not enough to take down the elite teams in the Western Conference.
What's Next?
The Jazz will continue their road trip Friday when they take on the Toronto Raptors. The Nuggets will look to end their skid that same day at home against the Sacramento Kings.
