Nikola Jokic returns from knee injury to lead Nuggets past Clippers, 122-109

DENVER (AP) — Nikola Jokic had 31 points and 12 rebounds in his first game in a month, Tim Hardaway Jr. added 22 points and the Denver Nuggets knocked off the Los Angeles Clippers 122-109 on Friday night.

Jokic, the three-time NBA MVP, missed 16 games after injuring his left knee in the first half of a Dec. 29 loss at Miami. The Nuggets went 10-6 during that stretch, which also included extended absences from starters Cameron Johnson and Christian Braun.

Jokic’s 29th double-double of the season came despite being on a minutes restriction imposed by coach David Adelman. The 30-year-old Serbian was limited to 25 minutes, his second-fewest in a game this season.

James Harden had 25 points and nine assists for Los Angeles. The Clippers had won 16 of their previous 19, the best win percentage in that NBA during that period.

Jokic scored 11 points over a stretch of 3:47 in the fourth quarter that extended Denver’s lead from five to 16. The Nuggets improved to 7-3 this season in the second game of a back-to-back.

Jamal Murray had 22 points, and Peyton Watson added 21 for Denver. Murray, who made four of his five 3-pointers and had a team-high nine assists, scored at least 20 points in a game for the 35th time this season, matching a career high.

Nuggets: Host Oklahoma City on Sunday night.

Clippers: At Phoenix on Sunday night.

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Denver Nuggets center Jonas Valančiūnas, right, blocks a shot by Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden, left, in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Nuggets guard Peyton Watson (8) reacts after dunking over Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Nuggets guard Peyton Watson, left, drives to the basket as Los Angeles Clippers guard Kobe Sanders (4) defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić (15) goes up for a basket as Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac, front, is covered by Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić, back, in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

PHOENIX (AP) — Dillon Brooks scored 27 points and the Phoenix Suns beat Cleveland 126-113 on Friday night to sweep a back-to-back and end the Cavaliers' winning streak at a season-best five games.

On Thursday night against Detroit, the Suns gave out “Dillon the Villain” T-shirts before Brooks scored a career-high 40 points in a 114-96 victory. Phoenix has won three in a row with scoring leader Devin Booker sidelined by a sprained ankle.

Brooks was 9 of 14 from the field. He hit 2 of 4 3-pointers and 7 of 8 free throws. The Suns were 23 of 48 from 3-point range.

Jordan Goodwin added 17 points to help Phoenix improve to 30-19. Collin Gillespie had 16 points.

Jalen Green returned from a right hamstring injury to play only his fifth game of the season. Acquired from Houston in the deal that sent Kevin Durant to the Rockets, Green had 11 points in 15 1/2 minutes.

De’Andre Hunter led Cleveland with 17 points. Donovan Mitchell and Jaylon Tyson each had 16, with Mitchell committing eight turnovers.

The Suns outscored the Cavaliers 45-32 in the third quarter to take a 97-79 lead. Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson was ejected early in the fourth with his second technical foul of the night, and Phoenix pushed the lead to 30 at 109-79.

Phoenix led 52-47 at the half. Cleveland had 15 first-half turnovers.

Cleveland fell to 29-21.

Cavaliers: At Portland on Sunday night.

Suns: At the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.

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

Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie (12) shoots over Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jaylon Tyson (20) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson argues with officials after getting a technical foul during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks, right, is fouled by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams, right, steals the ball from Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks, right, is fouled by Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)