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Nuggets Overpower Shorthanded Bucks as Jokic Shines in Return
Alright, let’s talk about this intense showdown between the Denver Nuggets and the Milwaukee Bucks. This one had all the makings of a thriller, and even though the Bucks were missing their star duo, they put up a serious fight. But in the end, it was Nikola Jokic’s night. The Nuggets pulled off a 127-117 victory, and Jokic made sure his return was nothing short of spectacular.
Right from the jump, the Nuggets came out swinging. Michael Porter Jr. was on fire early, draining back-to-back three-pointers, and before you knew it, Denver had a seven-point lead. The Bucks, missing both Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, found themselves in an early hole. Despite that, Brook Lopez was determined to keep Milwaukee in the fight. He racked up 11 points in the first quarter alone, keeping the deficit manageable at 38-27 heading into the second.
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As the game went on, the Bucks refused to back down. Every time Denver tried to pull away, Milwaukee found a way to claw back. Lopez was everywhere, even tying the game at 60 with a deep three-pointer. But just as the Bucks started believing, Jokic reminded everyone why he's the reigning MVP. He drilled a clutch three with seconds left in the first half, giving Denver a 67-64 lead heading into the break.
The second half? Pure chaos. The Bucks took their first lead of the night midway through the third, thanks to a relentless push. They even got ahead by five at one point, but the Nuggets responded immediately. Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Porter Jr. combined to flip the script, ending the third quarter on a 12-4 run. Denver was back on top, leading 100-92 heading into the final stretch.
In the fourth quarter, it felt like every time the Bucks got close, Denver had an answer. Ryan Rollins and Pat Connaughton hit big shots, but the Nuggets just kept hitting back. Porter Jr. drilled his sixth three-pointer of the night in the final minute—an absolute dagger that sealed Milwaukee’s fate. Jokic, as if he hadn’t done enough, added a couple more buckets in the final moments to wrap up his dominant 39-point triple-double performance.
One key takeaway? Michael Porter Jr. completely flipped the script on his last performance against Milwaukee. Back in February, he struggled badly, shooting 5-for-22. But this time? He was lights out—23 points on 7-for-9 shooting and 6-of-8 from deep. Talk about redemption.
In the end, the Nuggets proved why they’re one of the top teams in the West. The Bucks, despite being shorthanded, showed plenty of fight, but without their superstars, they just didn’t have enough to close it out. Denver keeps rolling, and with Jokic back at full strength, they’re looking more dangerous than ever.
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