Serbian centre Nikola Jokic has matched his career high with 47 points as his Denver Nuggets ended the winning streak of Joe Ingles’ Utah Jazz at 11 games.
Jokic was 17 for 26 from the field, hit all four of his 3-point attempts, made 9 of 10 free throws and had 12 rebounds and five assists in the 128-117 victory in Denver on Sunday.
It was the first loss since January 6 for Western Conference leaders Utah.
Bojan Bogdanovic led the Jazz with 29 points, Donovan Mitchell had 13 in 31 minutes after missing two games while in concussion protocol and Australian veteran Ingles had 10 points and six assists in his 25 minutes on court.
Utah had outscored every opponent but one by double digits during their 11-game winning streak. The only close game was a 109-105 victory over Denver, who are fourth in the Western Conference.
Jokic totaled 33 points on 13-of-17 shooting by halftime.
Denver hit all eight of its 3-point attempts and shot 80 per cent in the first quarter. The Nuggets kept it going in the second, going 13 of 24 from the field and finishing 15 of 17 from long range in the first half to take a 79-54 halftime lead.
The lead was 86-58 with 8:11 left in the third quarter when Utah made a big run. The Jazz hit eight 3-pointers and outscored Denver by 18 to get to 99-91.
JaMychal Green had all 11 of his points in the fourth quarter when the Nuggets got the lead back to 20. Jokic matched his career high with a layup with 2:05 left.