Wizards overcome career-high 56 by Jokic, snap 16-game skid with 122-113 win over the Nuggets

Jordan Poole scored 39 points, and the Washington Wizards overcame a career-high 56 by Nikola Jokic to beat the Denver Nuggets 122-113 on Saturday night and snap their 16-game losing streak.

Jamal Murray (hamstring), Aaron Gordon (calf) and Dario Saric (ankle) were all out for Denver, which left Jokic as something of a one-man show for the Nuggets. He took 38 shots from the field – also a career high – and had 16 rebounds and eight assists.

But Washington always had an answer.

The Wizards (3-18) won for the first time since Oct. 30. Their 16-game skid tied a franchise record.

Poole made a career-high nine 3-pointers, and Washington as a team made 16. Denver went 5 of 24, which is why the Nuggets couldn’t fully take advantage of Jokic’s dominance.

The Wizards were up 69-57 at halftime, and although Jokic scored 23 points in the third quarter, Washington was still up by six when he went to the bench at the start of the fourth. Denver was down 108-95 when he returned with 7:35 remaining.

Nuggets: It was a huge game for Jokic, but the fact that it wasn’t a triple-double – he didn’t quite have enough assists – was a sign that Denver didn’t have enough balance. Julian Strawther did have a decent night off the bench with 18 points.

Wizards: Although Denver wasn’t close to full strength, the Wizards won despite injuries of their own. Kyle Kuzma (rib) and rookie Alex Sarr (back) did not play.

Justin Champagnie made a driving bank shot with 1:12 left to put the Wizards up 118-111. Champagnie had a more modest career high of his own, scoring 23 points.

Jokic’s previous career high was 50 points, at Sacramento on Feb. 6, 2021.

Both teams play Sunday. Denver is at Atlanta, and Washington hosts Memphis.

Washington Wizards guard Carlton Carrington (8) races up the floor against Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, second from right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

Washington Wizards guard Jordan Poole, right, looks to shoot against Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

Washington Wizards forward Justin Champagnie, left, looks to score a basket against Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

Washington Wizards forward Justin Champagnie (9) blocks a shot by Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. (1) as Wizards center Jonas Valanciunas, right, defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)