Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic. Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Nikola Jokic and Russell Westbrook's triple-doubles lead Nuggets past Jazz

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Dec 31, 2024 9:44 AM ET

The Denver Nuggets took care of business on Monday with a 132-121 victory over the struggling Utah Jazz.

The night's takeaway was that star center Nikola Jokic and veteran point guard Russell Westbrook finished the game with a triple-double.

That's a Rocky Mountain W pic.twitter.com/KmXsgjBIj3
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) December 31, 2024

Jokic had a monster showing, finishing with 36 points, 22 rebounds and 11 assists. Although his shooting was poor — he was 14-33 (3-9 3PT) from the field — he still scored 36 points.

The triple-double for Jokic is his 13th this season and the second in his last three games. He has back-to-back games with 35+ points.

MONSTER MONDAY FROM THE JOKER:

36 PTS
22 REB
11 AST
4 STL

This is Jokić's 4th career game with 35+ PTS, 20+ REB & 10+ AST, passing Elgin Baylor for the second-most such games all-time! pic.twitter.com/UJh9W0YwsY
— NBA (@NBA) December 31, 2024

Westbrook notched his second triple-double of the season with 16 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. The 16 points came on a perfect shooting night.

Westbrook went 7-7 from the field and 2-2 from the free-throw line, making it the first time he has accomplished that feat this season.

RUSSELL WESTBROOK'S PERFECT NIGHT:

16p, 10r, 10a, 4s, 0 turnovers
7-7 shooting, 2-2 from the line

He joins Domantas Sabonis as the only players in NBA history to record a triple-double with no turnovers while shooting 100 FG% and 100 FT%. pic.twitter.com/8Tsz6z2X4w
— NBA (@NBA) December 31, 2024

The three other Denver starters were all in double figures as well. Michael Porter Jr. scored 21 points and Jamal Murray and Christian Braun scored 20.

With the victory, Denver improved to 18-13 on the season and hopes to find a groove. With Jokic playing like the best player in the NBA and Westbrook potentially returning to form as a triple-double machine, the Nuggets will be a scary team to play against for the rest of the season.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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