Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, front, fields a pass as Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
DENVER (AP) — Nikola Jokic had 35 points, 15 assists and 12 rebounds in his return to the lineup, Russell Westbrook had 25 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists and the Denver Nuggets beat the Brooklyn Nets 124-105 on Friday night.
It was the 145th career triple-double for Jokic, who missed Denver's previous two games due to an illness.
It was Westbrook's 202nd career triple-double. It was the second time this season they have had triple-doubles in the same game, and according to the NBA they are the first teammates in NBA history to have triple-doubles in the same game multiple times in a single season.
Ben Simmons played for the first time since Jan. 1 and had 10 points and six assists for Brooklyn, which has dropped four straight and 12 of its last 15. Keon Johnson had 22 points and Tyrese Martin had 19 points for Brooklyn.
The Nuggets used a late second-quarter run to take the lead for good, then opened the second half with a 25-9 spurt that made it 90-68.
The Nets got within 97-92 before Denver pulled away.
Takeaways
Nets: Played with just eight players against Detroit on Wednesday but Simmons returned from a four-game absence. Cam Johnson (right ankle sprain) and D’Angelo Russell (right shin contusion) are still out.
Nuggets: Jamal Murray didn’t play in the second half due to right knee soreness. Jokic entered Friday leading the NBA in scoring at 31.5 points a game.
Key moment
Johnson’s corner 3-pointer made it 101-95 midway through the fourth but Denver recovered and went on a 16-5 run to lead 117-100 with 2:48 left.
Key stat
The Nuggets committed nine turnovers by 2:09 into the second quarter and just five in the last 35:51.
Up next
The Nets continue their six-game road trip at Utah on Sunday night. The Nuggets play two straight games in Dallas, starting Sunday.
Denver Nuggets guard Julian Strawther, left, looks to pass the ball as Brooklyn Nets forward Jalen Wilson (22) defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., front, tries to control the ball as Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons, top, defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Brooklyn Nets guard Keon Johnson, right, drives to the basket as Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Brooklyn Nets forward Noah Clowney, right, drives to the basket as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, and forward Peyton Watson (8) defend in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, front, looks to drive to the basket as Brooklyn Nets guard Keon Johnson defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons, left, heads to the basket as Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook, right, defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets guard Julian Strawther gestures after hitting a three-point basket against the Brooklyn Nets in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Brooklyn Nets guard De'Anthony Melton (8) drives the lane between Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun, left, and center Nikola Jokic, right, in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Brooklyn Nets guard D'Angelo Russell, left, talks with forward Cameron Johnson as sit on the bench in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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