The Nuggets were in third place when Nikola Jokic got hurt. Nine games later, as they arrived at the halfway point of the season, they had somehow found a way to ascend to second without him.

Luka Dončić (38 pts, 13 reb, 10 ast, 2 stl) led the Lakers over the Nuggets 115-107 in the nightcap of our NBC and Peacock doubleheader. Keyonte George put up a career-high 43 points as the Jazz defeated the Timberwolves 127-122.