Ayton Scores 27, Blazers Fall to Nuggets

The Big Man Leads His Team In A Loss to the Defending Champs

Denver, CO, USA. Coming into Sunday’s game against the defending NBA champions and arguably the best player in basketball, Nikola Jokic, Deandre Ayton knew that he had a tall order on his hands, but he was able to go blow for blow with the defending NBA MVP. 

The New Providence-born big man scored 27 points on 13-19 shooting and grabbed 9 rebounds, unfortunately that wasn’t enough as they lost to the Nuggets, 112-103. 

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— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) February 5, 2024

The Blazers were able to get out to an early lead thanks to a 10-point first quarter from Ayton. They went up by as much as 13 points but the Nuggets were able to wear them down and they went into halftime up 63-59. The Nuggets would storm back in the 2nd half to take the game. 

Anfernee Simons added 24 points with 6 rebounds and 9 assists and rookie point guard Scoot Henderson, who seems to be progressing nicely, had a near-triple-double with 14 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists off the bench. 
Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 29 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. 

The game was a tough out for any team, much less an injury-depleted one like the Blazers as the win moves the Nuggets’ home record to 21-4. Thursday night they’ll have an opportune chance to pick up an easy win as they’ll be rested, at home, and playing the worst team in the NBA this season: the Detroit Pistons.