Nikola, who opened the season with four straight triple-doubles, grabbed a season-low seven rebounds but has recorded at least a double-double in the first six games.

Nikola scored 15 points in the opening quarter, when the Nuggets led by as many as 12. He was on the bench to start the fourth quarter and Sacramento pulled within 110-104. Jokic returned and hit a 3-pointer, fed Bruce Brown for a corner 3-pointer and made two layups.

He helped seal the win with a steal and a layup that pushed the lead to 130-117 with 2:37 left.

Russell Westbrook had 26 points and 12 rebounds, both season highs, against his former team. He received a warm ovation from the crowd when he was recognized at the first timeout of the game. Westbrook averaged 13.3 points in 75 games in 2024-25, his only season with Denver, and 11.7 points during the playoffs.

Nuggets coach David Adelman praised Westbrook’s play during the postseason, saying before the game that Denver would not have beaten the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round without the 18-year veteran.

ESPN