After a rough start to their road trip, the Denver Nuggets finally found a win in Chicago-but it came with a price. Denver snapped a two-game skid with a convincing 136-120 victory over the Bulls, powered by a vintage Nikola Jokic triple-double and a balanced offensive attack. But the celebration was muted after Jamal Murray exited late in the fourth with a lower-body injury, another blow to a team already navigating injuries.
Let’s start with the good: Jokic was in full maestro mode. He notched another monster triple-double-so routine for him it almost feels unfair-and in doing so, passed Oscar Robertson for second all-time in career triple-doubles.
That’s not just a stat, that’s a legacy checkpoint. And he didn’t do it quietly.
Jokic controlled the game like a conductor, spraying passes, hitting timely shots, and anchoring the Nuggets when things got dicey.
The Nuggets also got a lift from Cameron Johnson, who returned to the floor and looked comfortable, and from a deep rotation that saw eight different players score in double figures. Tim Hardaway Jr. gave them a strong burst off the bench, Bruce Brown brought his usual energy, and Julian Strawther delivered key minutes, especially in the second and fourth quarters.
The game itself was a rollercoaster early. Both teams came out firing from deep, but Denver’s transition game gave them a slight edge in the opening frame.
Murray was aggressive out of the gate, leading the scoring charge, but once he cooled off, the offense sputtered. Jokic re-entered and got things humming again, but every time Denver looked like they might pull away, the Bulls had a response-often thanks to second-chance points and hustle plays.
By halftime, Chicago had clawed their way to a 65-59 lead, taking advantage of some sloppy Nuggets possessions and a noticeable dip in Denver’s energy. Jaden Ivey was a spark for the Bulls, hitting a big corner three and consistently keeping pressure on the Nuggets’ defense.
The third quarter saw the Nuggets regain control-at least for a moment. Jokic and Murray combined for a flurry of buckets, Strawther hit a big three, and Denver strung together a 17-5 run to flip the game back in their favor.
But the Bulls wouldn’t go away. Collin Sexton drilled a three, Guerschon Yabusele knocked down a pair from deep, and just like that, Denver’s lead evaporated.
The Nuggets stumbled into the fourth trailing 104-97.
Then came the knockout punch.
Bruce Brown ignited a 12-0 run to open the final quarter, capped by a beautiful Jokic dime to Hardaway for a layup. Denver’s defense locked in, holding Chicago to just two points in the first five minutes of the period. Jokic hit from deep, Strawther added another, and suddenly the Nuggets were up double digits and cruising.
Murray stayed in the game and continued to orchestrate the offense, but with just under four minutes to go, disaster struck. He landed awkwardly and immediately headed to the locker room, clutching his groin. It’s too early to know the severity, but for a team with title aspirations, any extended absence from Murray is a serious concern.
Still, the Nuggets closed the game with authority. Jokic returned to seal the deal, finding Christian Braun with a signature one-handed laser to push the lead to 18. The reserves checked in shortly after, and Denver coasted to a much-needed win to wrap up their road trip.
Final score: Nuggets 136, Bulls 120.
It’s a win that reminds you what this team can be when things click-deep, unselfish, and powered by one of the greatest big men to ever play the game. But it also underscores how fragile the season can be. If Murray’s injury lingers, Denver’s path forward gets a lot more complicated.