Sports

Denver bounces back from a tough loss as Jokic and Murray lead franchise-best scoring night; Portland faces major questions after lopsided defeat.

6 min read

Key Points

The Denver Nuggets defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 157-103 on February 20, 2026, setting franchise records for highest road score and largest margin of victory.
Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 32 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists, shooting efficiently and posting a +40 plus-minus rating.
Jamal Murray contributed 25 points with smart shot selection, and Denver’s bench players, including Tim Hardaway Jr., added key performances to secure the blowout win.

The Denver Nuggets stormed into Portland on February 20, 2026, and delivered a historic blowout, routing the Trail Blazers 157-103 at Moda Center. In a game that shattered multiple franchise records and left the Blazers reeling, the Nuggets bounced back from a tough loss just 24 hours prior, putting together one of the most dominant performances the NBA has seen all season.
It was the second night of a back-to-back for Denver, but you wouldn’t have guessed it from the opening tip. The Nuggets came out firing, determined to erase the sting of their defeat to the Los Angeles Clippers the night before. Nikola Jokic set the tone early, pouring in 19 points in the first quarter alone and finishing with 32 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists in just three quarters of action. Jokic’s efficiency was off the charts—he shot 10-of-15 from the field, 3-of-4 from deep, and 9-of-11 from the charity stripe, while posting a staggering +40 plus-minus. As the NBA’s official account put it, “Nikola Jokić was OUTSTANDING in the @nuggets road victory!”
Jokic’s early dominance was especially vital given the uncertainty surrounding Jamal Murray. Murray, who had been questionable with a hamstring injury, suited up and eased his way into the contest. By the second quarter, he found his groove, torching the Blazers with 4-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc in that period alone. Murray finished his night with 25 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists, taking only three-pointers and free throws—a testament to his smart shot selection and ability to adapt his game on the fly. “He really played great. He’s one of the greatest players to touch a basketball floor,” said Blazers acting head coach Tiago Splitter, acknowledging Jokic’s impact but also the challenge posed by Murray’s supporting brilliance.
Denver’s offensive onslaught was relentless. The Nuggets racked up 82 points by halftime, shooting a blistering 59% (13 of 22) from three-point range in the first half and leading by 29 at the break. By the end, their 157 points marked not only the highest total by any NBA team this season but also the most points Denver has ever scored on the road in franchise history. It was the largest margin of victory for the Nuggets over any opponent, and it left the Blazers with their worst loss of the season.
The Nuggets’ excellence extended well beyond their two stars. Julian Strawther continued his impressive campaign with 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists, and an eye-popping +48 in the plus-minus column. Christian Braun contributed across the board, tallying 11 points, 8 rebounds, and tying his career high with 7 assists. Cam Johnson filled the stat sheet with 15 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks, making his presence felt on both ends of the floor.
The Denver bench kept the pressure on. Tim Hardaway Jr. made history by sinking the 2,000th three-pointer of his NBA career, finishing with 19 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals. Spencer Jones made the most of his minutes, knocking down both his three-point attempts and grabbing 10 rebounds in 30 minutes. The deep reserves got their chance to shine as well, with DaRon Holmes chipping in 9 points and KJ Simpson making an energetic Nuggets debut, notching 4 assists and showing promise on both sides of the ball.
For Portland, the night was a sobering reality check coming out of the All-Star break. Despite having nearly a full roster—save for Shaedon Sharpe and Damian Lillard, who was away after his three-point contest win—the Blazers were overmatched from start to finish. Acting head coach Tiago Splitter didn’t mince words: “One of our worst games of the season. The Nuggets had a sense of urgency to win this game. They lost last night, I think 3 of their last 5 games. And coming off the break, we were just not ready.”
There were few bright spots for the Blazers, but Deni Avdija posted a solid double-double with 15 points, 13 assists, and 8 rebounds, while Jrue Holiday led the team with 19 points. Donovan Clingan, the only true big man available, showed flashes of improvement, going 3-of-6 from distance and providing some much-needed size. However, Portland’s defensive woes were glaring—they allowed Denver to shoot 57% from the field and 51% from three-point range, while being outrebounded 13-8 on the offensive glass and losing the fast-break battle 18-10.
Splitter highlighted the challenge of containing Jokic: “A guy like Jokic, one of the best players in the world … your focus has got to be at 100%. Can’t make any mistakes. You put your hand there, he’s gonna get a foul. You’re not ready for rotation, we double, we blitz him, ready for rotation. … So, all those little things have got to be on point to stop one of the best players in the world. That’s who he is.”
The Blazers’ struggles were compounded by poor shooting—just 32% from three-point range (15-47)—and a lack of interior presence, especially with their starting center sidelined. Portland’s inability to match Denver’s pace, size, and precision left them with little chance to mount a comeback. Even the usually reliable transition game faltered, as the Nuggets dictated the tempo and capitalized on nearly every opportunity.
As the game slipped further out of reach, Portland’s young players got extended minutes. Rookie center Yang Hansen faced off against veteran Jonas Valanciunas in the fourth quarter, gaining valuable experience and even having a pregame moment with his idol Jokic. Splitter remained optimistic about the future, saying, “I think we’ve got to bounce back on this. Go to Phoenix, bounce back same way (Denver) did. Lost last night, came here with that sense of urgency to win and do the right things. Effort, defense, talk, communicate, no putting your head down when you make a mistake, not running back, forget your matchup. So, all those little things are important in basketball games, and they were not there tonight.”
With the loss, Portland’s average margin of victory for the season took a hit, and the team was left searching for answers ahead of their next matchup. The Blazers are set to face the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, hoping to regroup and learn from a night that exposed their weaknesses but also offered a chance for young players to grow.
For Denver, the emphatic victory was a statement not just to the Blazers, but to the entire league. The Nuggets will look to carry this momentum into their next contest against the Golden State Warriors, aiming to close out their road trip on a high note. If Friday night was any indication, this team—when firing on all cylinders—is a force to be reckoned with.

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