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Nikola Jokic’s career-high 56 points was not enough to seal victory for the Denver Nuggets as they lost 113-122 to the Washington Wizards.<\/b><\/p>\n
Three-time MVP Jokic recorded the second-most points in a game in the league’s history – behind David Thompson’s 73-point performance in 1978.<\/p>\n
But the Wizards, who led from the first half, were able to hold off the Nuggets and Jokic to end their 16-game losing streak at the Capital One Arena.<\/p>\n
Wizards shooting guard Jordan Poole scored 39 points and hit a career-high nine three-pointers, while Justin Champagnie scored 23 points and Jonas Valanciunas finished on 20 points, 12 rebounds and five assists.<\/p>\n
The Wizards, who had not won since 30 October, were without Alexandre Sarr, while the Nuggets travelled to Washington without injured Jamal Murray (hamstring) and Aaron Gordon (calf).<\/p>\n
In addition to scoring 56 points, Serb Jokic also added 16 rebounds and eight assists.<\/p>\n
His career-high tally comes two days after he surpassed NBA legend Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson on the all-time list for triple-doubles with 139<\/a> – the third-most in the league’s history.<\/p>\n The defeat leaves the Nuggets ninth in the Western Conference, having lost 10 of their 21 matches.<\/p>\n Elsewhere, Evan Mobley scored a career-high 41 points for the league-leading Cleveland Cavaliers<\/b> in a 116-102 victory over the Charlotte Hornets<\/b>.<\/p>\n The Memphis Grizzlies<\/b> beat reigning champions the Boston Celtics, <\/b>the Detroit Pistons<\/b> overcame the New York Knicks<\/b> and the Dallas Mavericks<\/b> claimed victory over the Raptors<\/b> in Toronto.<\/p>\n Find all of Saturday’s NBA scores here.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n