Overview
- Nikola Jokic scored 40 points as Denver erased a 23-point deficit to edge Atlanta 134-133, with Jalen Johnson posting 21 points, 18 rebounds and 16 assists after a first-half triple-double.
- Kristaps Porzingis returned Friday following a four-game illness absence under a "return to competition reconditioning" designation, coming off the bench for 25 points in 20 minutes on a monitored workload.
- Porzingis said the recent illness was not the same as last season’s POTS and described himself as "on the right track" after his first game back.
- Johnson followed with 30 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists in Saturday's 131-116 win at Washington, where Vít Krejci hit three fourth-quarter 3-pointers to help Atlanta pull away.
- Atlanta held Porzingis out on the second night of the back-to-back, with Onyeka Okongwu starting at center as Quin Snyder continues to adjust rotations without the injured Trae Young.