Millsap had 21 points and 16 boards, doing much of his damage after Jokic took a seat two minutes into the second half with his fourth foul.

Millsap said he knew he had to step up, „not just scoring inside, but leading the team.“

He said that was easier for him to accomplish thanks to a break earlier this month when he missed three games with a sore right ankle. Since his return, he said, he’s in better shape and better rhythm.

„I feel great,“ Millsap said. „Having that break was definitely beneficial.“

His refreshed body and mind has, in turn, injected Denver’s deep bench with even more energy.

„Paul found the fountain of youth or something,“ Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. „He’s playing like a young Paul Millsap. He’s flying around. We chart everything, Paul Millsap by himself, he contested 18 shots tonight. Eighteen shots, 21 points, 16 rebounds and just impacting the game. His energy is infectious for all the other guys.

„And Nikola obviously, we expect that from him every night. It’s a good win.“

ROOKIE HICCUPS

Clippers rookie guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander came in averaging 10 points a game on 47 percent shooting from the field and 33 percent from long-range. But he scored just one point in 30 minutes, going 0 for 8 from the floor, 0 for 3 from the arc and 1 for 2 from the stripe.

ESPN