Jokic, Murray Lead Nuggets to Series-Tying Win

Less than 48 hours removed from a heartbreaking four-overtime loss, the Denver Nuggets secured a gusty 116-112 road victory over the Portland Trail Blazers to even the Western Conference Semifinals series at two games apiece.

Nikola Jokic registered his fourth triple-double of the postseason with a 21-point, 12-rebound, 11-assist performance. Jokic fought through fatigue and posted his second consecutive triple-double, having played 65 minutes in Friday's 4-OT loss.

Nuggets even their series by def. Trail Blazers 116-112 in Game 4.

Nikola Jokic is now the 7th player with 4 triple-doubles in a single postseason in NBA history, joining Wilt Chamberlain, Magic Johnson, Oscar Robertson, LeBron James, Rajon Rondo & Jason Kidd. (h/t @EliasSports) pic.twitter.com/oX4jltr6qm

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 6, 2019

Jamal Murray scored a game-best 34 points in the win.  The Nuggets outscored the Trail Blazers 27-14 in the third quarter, before holding on in the final frame behind some clutch free throw shooting. Murray knocked down all 11 of his free throw attempts, including six in the waning minutes of action. He has scored over 30 points in back-to-back games, the first Nuggets player to accomplish this feat in the postseason since Carmelo Anthony did so in 2010.

Jamal Murray outplayed Damian Lillard in Denver's Game 4 victory. (Steve Dykes/Getty Images)

CJ McCollum recorded 29 points and Damian Lillard scored 28 for the Trail Blazers, who lost at home for the first time this postseason. Seth Curry scored 16 off the bench—14 coming in the second quarter in which he hit four 3's.

Paul Millsap logged his third straight double-double, producing 21 points and corralling 10 rebounds in the Game 4 win.

The Nuggets received a major scare when Jokic limped off the court in the final minutes with a leg injury, but he returned on the next possession. 

Head coach Michael Malone dismissed the ailment afterward, saying, "He just got kneed, nothing serious." 

The Nuggets return home for Game 5 on Tuesday.

Nuggets Win in Thomas' Return to Boston

The Denver Nuggets are heading to the NBA playoffs for the first time since 2013, clinching a postseason berth in Monday's 114-105 win over the Boston Celtics.

Nikola Jokic scored 21 points, corralled 13 rebounds, dished seven assists and added two steals and three blocks. Will Barton had 20 points in the victory.

Isaiah Thomas played in his first game back in Boston since being traded in the summer of 2017 for Kyrie Irving. 

The TD Garden crowd roared as the Celtics played a two-minute tribute video on the jumbotron dedicated to Thomas during the first timeout of the game. Thomas, a two-time All-Star with Boston, held back tears as the Boston fans saluted him.

"I was emotional," Thomas said. "I almost cried. That was everything. I appreciate them for doing that."

Thomas was all smiles as the Celtics played a tribute video for him. (Getty Images)

Thomas played just seven minutes, failing to score. He had two assists and one turnover.

Denver outrebounded Boston 51-37. Paul Millsap registered a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double as Denver dominated the Celtics on the boards.

The Nuggets took control of the game in the fourth quarter. Entering the final period tied, the Nuggets grabbed a 12-point lead with under four minutes remaining after Gary Harris (16 points) stole the ball from Boston's Al Horford and drove the length of the court for a layup that put the game out of reach.

Horford finished with 20 points, six rebounds and six assists in the defeat. Irving logged a game-high 30 points with five rebounds, four assists and four steals.

The Celtics play at Philadelphia on Wednesday, while the Nuggets will play the second contest of their four-game road trip in Washington on Tuesday.

NBA Summer Forecast: 2014-15 Western Conference Standings

1.   Oklahoma City Thunder

Additions: Anthony Morrow, Sebastian Telfair, Mitch McGary (R)

Subtractions: Thabo Sefolosha (Hawks), Caron Butler (Pistons)

2.   San Antonio Spurs

Additions: Kyle Anderson (R)

Subtractions: None

3.   Los Angeles Clippers

Additions: Spencer Hawes, Jordan Farmer, C.J. Wilcox (R)

Subtractions: Darren Collison (Kings), Danny Granger (Heat), Willie Green (Magic), Ryan Hollins

4.   Dallas Mavericks

Additions: Chandler Parsons, Jameer Nelson, Richard Jefferson, Al-Farouq Aminu, Tyson Chandler & Raymond Felton (Via Trade with Knicks)

Subtractions: Vince Carter (Grizzlies), Jose Calderon, Shane Larkin & Samuel Dalembert (Via Trade with Knicks), Shawn Marion (Cavs)

5.   Memphis Grizzlies

Additions: Vince Carter, Jordan Adams (R)

Departures: James Johnson (Raptors), Mike Miller (Cavaliers), Ed Davis (Lakers)

6.   Golden State Warriors

Additions: Shaun Livingston, Brandon Rush

Subtractions: Steve Blake (Trail Blazers), Jordan Crawford

7.   Portland Trail Blazers

Additions: Chris Kaman, Steve Blake

Subtractions: Mo Williams (Timberwolves)

8.   Houston Rockets

Additions: Trevor Ariza, Jeff Adrien, Clint Capela (R)

Subtractions: Chandler Parsons (Mavericks), Jeremy Lin (Via Trade with Lakers), Omer Asik (Via Trade with Pelicans)

9.   Phoenix Suns

Additions: Isaiah Thomas (Via Sign & Trade with Kings), Anthony Tolliver, T.J. Warren (R), Tyler Ennis (R)

Subtractions: Channing Frye (Magic), Emeka Okafor

10. Denver Nuggets

Additions: Aaron Afflalo (Via Trade with Magic), Gary Harris (R), Jusuf Nurkić (R)

Subtractions: Evan Fournier (Via Trade with Magic), Aaron Brooks (Bulls)

11. New Orleans Pelicans

Additions: Omer Asik (Via Trade with Rockets), Jimmer Fredette

Subtractions: Anthony Morrow (Thunder), Brian Roberts (Hornets), Jason Smith (Knicks), Al-Farouq Aminu (Mavs)

12. Los Angeles Lakers

Additions: Carlos Boozer, Ed Davis, Julius Randle (R), Jeremy Lin (Via Trade with Rockets)

Subtractions: Pau Gasol (Bulls), Jodie Meeks (Pistons), Chris Kaman (Blazers), Jordan Farmar (Clippers), Kent Bazemore (Hawks), Kendall Marshall (Bucks)

13. Sacramento Kings

Additions: Darren Collison, Nik Stauskas (R), Jeremy Tyler & Wayne Ellington (Via Trade with Knicks)

Subtractions: Isaiah Thomas (Suns), Aaron Gray (Pistons), Travis Outlaw & Quincy Acy (Via Trade with Knicks)

14. Minnesota Timberwolves

Additions: Mo Williams, Zach LaVine (R), Andrew Wiggins (R), Anthony Bennett and Thaddeus Young (Via 3-Way Trade with Cavs & 76ers)

Subtractions: Kevin Love, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute & Alexey Shved (Via 3-Way Trade with Cavs and 76ers)

15. Utah Jazz

Additions: Dante Exum (R), Trevor Booker, Rodney Hood (R), Steve Novak (Via Trade with Raptors)

Subtractions: Marvin Williams (Hornets), Richard Jefferson (Mavericks), Brandon Rush (Warriors)