Jokic leads Nuggets' comeback to clinch 3rd seed

Denver overcomes 16-point 4th quarter deficit to defeat Portland

Apr. 7, 2026 at 7:08am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color, capturing the energy and movement of the sport.Nuggets star Nikola Jokic's heroic fourth-quarter performance leads his team to a dramatic comeback victory over a division rival.Denver Today

Nuggets star Nikola Jokic recorded a triple-double with 35 points, 13 rebounds, and 13 assists, leading his team to a come-from-behind victory over the Blazers that secured Denver the 3rd seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

Why it matters

The Nuggets' dramatic comeback win over a division rival solidifies their position in the upper echelon of the West, setting them up for a potentially deep postseason run. Jokic's MVP-caliber performance underscores his value as the team's centerpiece.

The details

Down by 16 points early in the fourth quarter, the Nuggets mounted a furious rally led by Jokic. The Serbian big man scored 15 of his 35 points in the final frame, adding 6 rebounds and 4 assists to complete the triple-double and will the team to victory.

  • The Nuggets trailed the Blazers by 16 points early in the fourth quarter.

The players

Nikola Jokic

The Nuggets' star center and 2-time NBA MVP, who led the team's comeback with a dominant triple-double performance.

Denver Nuggets

The NBA team that rallied from a large fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Portland Trail Blazers and clinch the 3rd seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

Portland Trail Blazers

The Nuggets' division rival that held a substantial lead late in the game before ultimately falling to Denver's comeback effort.

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What they’re saying

“Nikola just willed us to this win. He's the best player in the league and showed it tonight when we needed him most.”

— Michael Malone, Nuggets Head Coach

What’s next

The Nuggets will await their first-round playoff opponent, while the Blazers will look to regroup and secure a postseason berth in the final games of the regular season.

The takeaway

Jokic's heroics in leading the Nuggets' dramatic comeback underscores his status as one of the NBA's premier superstars and cements Denver as a legitimate title contender in the Western Conference.