Jokic, Westbrook have triple-doubles and Nuggets beat Nets 124-105

DENVER (AP) — Nikola Jokic had 35 points, 15 assists and 12 rebounds in his return to the lineup, Russell Westbrook had 25 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists and the Denver Nuggets beat the Brooklyn Nets 124-105 on Friday night.

It was the 145th career triple-double for Jokic, who missed Denver's previous two games due to an illness.

It was Westbrook's 202nd career triple-double. It was the second time this season they have had triple-doubles in the same game, and according to the NBA they are the first teammates in NBA history to have triple-doubles in the same game multiple times in a single season.

Westbrook has the most career NBA triple-doubles and Jokic is third. Oscar Robertson is second with 181.

Ben Simmons played for the first time since Jan. 1 and had 10 points and six assists for Brooklyn, which has dropped four straight and 12 of its last 15. Keon Johnson had 22 points and Tyrese Martin had 19 points for Brooklyn.

The Nuggets used a late second-quarter run to take the lead for good, then opened the second half with a 25-9 spurt that made it 90-68.

The Nets got within 97-92 before Denver pulled away.

Nets: Played with just eight players against Detroit on Wednesday but Simmons returned from a four-game absence. Cam Johnson (right ankle sprain) and D’Angelo Russell (right shin contusion) are still out.

Nuggets: Jamal Murray didn’t play in the second half due to right knee soreness. Jokic entered Friday leading the NBA in scoring at 31.5 points a game.

Johnson’s corner 3-pointer made it 101-95 midway through the fourth but Denver recovered and went on a 16-5 run to lead 117-100 with 2:48 left.

The Nuggets committed nine turnovers by 2:09 into the second quarter and just five in the last 35:51.

The Nets continue their six-game road trip at Utah on Sunday night. The Nuggets play two straight games in Dallas, starting Sunday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Brooklyn Nets guard D'Angelo Russell, left, talks with forward Cameron Johnson as sit on the bench in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Brooklyn Nets guard De'Anthony Melton (8) drives the lane between Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun, left, and center Nikola Jokic, right, in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Nuggets guard Julian Strawther gestures after hitting a three-point basket against the Brooklyn Nets in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons, left, heads to the basket as Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook, right, defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, front, looks to drive to the basket as Brooklyn Nets guard Keon Johnson defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Brooklyn Nets forward Noah Clowney, right, drives to the basket as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, and forward Peyton Watson (8) defend in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Brooklyn Nets guard Keon Johnson, right, drives to the basket as Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., front, tries to control the ball as Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons, top, defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Nuggets guard Julian Strawther, left, looks to pass the ball as Brooklyn Nets forward Jalen Wilson (22) defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, front, fields a pass as Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

BOSTON (AP) — Jayson Tatum had 20 points and 14 rebounds in a season-high 32 minutes, Neemias Queta had 24 points and 10 rebounds and the Boston Celtics withstood a late charge to beat Washington 111-100 on Saturday night and send the Wizards to their 11th straight loss.

Tatum had his second double-double since making his season debut earlier this month. Jaylen Brown added 16 points to help the Celtics snap a two-game skid.

Boston’s lead grew to 30 points in the third quarter, but Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla kept Tatum on the court to allow him to reach a high for minutes in the four games he’s played in since his return from Achilles tendon surgery. He had been capped at 27 minutes in his previous three games.

Washington, which was coming off erasing a 17-point deficit to force overtime in a loss at Orlando on Thursday, chopped Boston’s lead to 12 in the fourth quarter. But the Celtics got a layup from Tatum and 3-pointer by Sam Hauser to help them close it out.

Tristan Vukcevic had 22 points to lead the Wizards.

Boston tried early to exploit the Wizards’ vulnerability in the paint and fed the ball to Queta, who scored eight of the Celtics’ first 10 points and finished with 22 in the first half. Luka Garza also took advantage, connecting on his first three shots and scoring six quick points. He finished with 15 points in 15 minutes.

Washington 7-footer Alex Sarr didn’t score until the 4:38 mark of the second quarter.

Boston finished with a 54-30 advantage in scoring in the paint.

Wizards: Host Golden State on Monday.

Celtics: Host Phoenix on Monday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Boston Celtics center Luka Garza, right, steals the ball from Washington Wizards forward Tristan Vukcevic, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) drives to the basket past Washington Wizards guard Trae Young, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) drives to the basket past Washington Wizards guard Tre Johnson (12) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives to the basket against Washington Wizards center Alex Sarr, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) reaches up to block a pass by Washington Wizards center Alex Sarr (20) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)