The Washington Wizards ended a 16-game skid with a stunning 122-113 victory over the Denver Nuggets, overcoming a career-high 56 points from reigning MVP Nikola Jokic on Saturday.
Jokic’s performance, which included 16 rebounds and 8 assists, surpassed his previous high of 53 points in the 2023 Western Conference semi-finals. Despite his efforts, Denver struggled from beyond the arc, making just 5-of-24 three-point attempts, while Washington hit 16 threes, including a career-best 9 from Jordan Poole, who led the Wizards with 39 points.
- Wizards’ Key Contributors:
- Jordan Poole: 39 points, 9 three-pointers
- Justin Champagnie: 23 points
- Jonas Valanciunas: 20 points, 12 rebounds
The Wizards capitalized on Denver’s depleted roster—missing starters Aaron Gordon, Jamal Murray, and others—to take an early lead. They maintained control, even as Jokic poured in 23 points in the third quarter to narrow the deficit to six heading into the fourth.
“Hearing MVP chants was kind of cool when the MVP [Jokic] was on the floor,” Poole said, reflecting on the fans’ cheers for his clutch performance.
Cleveland Cavaliers Dominate Behind Mobley’s Career Night
Evan Mobley scored a career-high 41 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Charlotte Hornets 116-102. Mobley’s electric first quarter, featuring 23 points and five swished three-pointers, set the tone for the Cavs, who improved to an NBA-best 21-3.
- Other Cavs Contributions:
- Donovan Mitchell & Darius Garland: 18 points each
- Jarrett Allen: 11 points, 10 rebounds
Grizzlies Outlast Celtics in Boston
The Memphis Grizzlies held off the reigning champion Boston Celtics 127-121, led by Ja Morant’s near-triple-double of 32 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists.
Boston rallied in the fourth quarter, taking a brief lead before Memphis regained control behind strong performances from Jaren Jackson Jr. (27 points, 9 rebounds). The Grizzlies closed the game after Boston cut the deficit to one, with Morant leading the way.
- Celtics Leaders:
- Jrue Holiday: 23 points
- Jaylen Brown & Payton Pritchard: 22 points each
- Jayson Tatum: 17 points, 13 rebounds, 9 assists
Triple-Double Showdown Across the NBA
- Luka Doncic (Mavericks): 30 points, 13 rebounds, 11 assists in a 125-118 win over the Raptors, marking his second consecutive triple-double.
- Cade Cunningham (Pistons): 29 points, 10 rebounds, 15 assists in Detroit’s 120-111 win over the Knicks, his fifth triple-double of the season.
- Jalen Brunson: 31 points, 10 assists for New York.
The night underscored the brilliance of individual performances across the league, with Jokic, Mobley, Morant, and Doncic leading the way in pivotal matchups.
