Denver Nuggets ride Nikola Jokic, Russell Westbrook's dual triple-doubles to beat Brooklyn in Jokic's return

The only signs Nikola Jokics illness lingered into the Nuggets' 124-105 win over Brooklyn on Friday was an early trip to the bathroom.

After recording 14 points, four assists and three rebounds in the first 10 minutes, Jokic headed to the bench earlier than usual.

Then, it was right to the bowels of Ball Arena for a quick bathroom break.

Fridays game was the first since he missed Denvers previous back-to-back set with an illness.

Nuggets coach Michael Malone said pregame that Jokic had not tested positive for any specific sickness.

Nuggets, Celtics buck trends in battle of previous two defending NBA champions Jokic went on to finish with 35 points, 15 assists, 12 rebounds and four steals.

He made 14 of 21 shots and committed just one turnover in 38 minutes of playing time.

Nikolas first game back, he was outstanding, Nuggets coach Michael Malone.

Not surprising there.

It was the 145th triple-double of his career.

Man, Nikolas ...

hes the best player in the world.

He does a hell of a job of making the game easy for everyone, Russell Westbrook said.

Since Ive been here, Ive been trying to do the same thing and find ways to make the game easy for him and other guys.

When were both doing that, our team is really good.

Westbrook recorded the 202nd triple-double of his career with a huge fourth quarter.

Westbrook finished with 25 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in 36 minutes.

Russell Westbrook represents Los Angeles well as Denver Nuggets defeat Clippers It was the second time this season Jokic and Westbrook recorded triple-doubles in the same game.

Thats a first in NBA history.

Thats pretty crazy, Malone said.

Youre watching history, folks.

It looked like Jokics night might be over when Denver led by 18 when he checked out of the game with a couple of minutes left in the third quarter.

Jokic instead had to return after Brooklyn closed within nine points two minutes into the fourth quarter.

That allowed Jokic to complete the triple-double when he grabbed his 10th rebound in the middle of the fourth.

Michael Porter Jr.

(17), Julian Strawther (12), Christian Braun (11) and Peyton Watson (10) joined Jokic and Westbrook in double figures.

Keon Johnson led the Nets with 22 points on 21 shots.

The Nuggets played without Jamal Murray after halftime, as he dealt with left knee soreness.

Malone said his starting point guard didnt feel like he could play at the required level, though he didnt believe it was anything too serious.

Denvers coach hoped Murray would be back for Sundays game in Dallas.

Thats going to happen with that knee, Malone said.

Its going to act up once in a while.

From fatherhood to foreign language and figuring out new teammates, Jamal Murray shows willingness to learn on fly for Denver Nuggets NUGGETS 124, NETS 105 What happened: Brooklyn led by four after the first quarter, but Denver led 65-59 at halftime.

The Nuggets extended the lead to 15 by the end of the third quarter and improved to 22-15 on the season.

What went right: Peyton Watson had arguably the most complete game of his young career.

The 22-year-old finished with 10 points, seven rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks.

Unfortunately, Watson continued to stuff the stat sheet with five turnovers.

What went wrong: Denvers offense didnt help its defense much in Brooklyns 36-point first quarter.

The Nuggets turned it over seven times, leading to 12 Nets points.

Brooklyn shot 65% from the field, including a 5-for-8 mark from 3-point range in the first 12 minutes.

Highlight of the night: After grabbing a defensive rebound, Russell Westbrook threaded a long, left-handed bounce pass between a couple of Brooklyn defenders in the middle of the third quarter.

Julian Strawther was on the receiving end, and his transition layup put Denver up 19.

Up next: The Nuggets start a two-game trip to Dallas with a 1 p.m.

tipoff Sunday..

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