The Denver Nuggets' Nikola Jokic made his return to the starting lineup against the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday. Jokic scored 13 points on 5-for-6 shooting, grabbed four rebounds and had five assists in Denver's 132-120 win.
He only played 19 minutes and 23 seconds because of foul trouble. But that is not what was important. This is what was important:
Six-foot-11 men should not be able to make a no-look pass like that in transition; Jokic is not most 6-foot-11 men.
This was Jokic's first game back in the starting lineup since Nov. 10. He started alongside Emmanuel Mudiay, Gary Harris, Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler. Denver got off to a strong start behind the group.
Harris, who's missed 20 games this season, returned Thursday and played a fantastic all-around game. He needed only 38 touches to score 18 points and record six assists.
The Nuggets improved to 10-16 with the win. For as much as they've struggled, they're still just two games behind the Trail Blazers (13-15) for the No. 8 seed in the West.
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