Nuggets Vs Trail Blazers: Denver sets records, torches Portland after break

In a dominant nuggets vs trail blazers matchup, the Denver Nuggets routed the Portland Trail Blazers 157-103, handing Portland its worst loss of the season and setting multiple scoring marks as Denver returned from the All-Star break. The margin and output underscored a decisive momentum swing for Denver coming out of the break.

Nuggets Vs Trail Blazers first-half explosion

Denver opened the post-All-Star game on fire, scoring 82 points in the first half — the second-most points in a half in franchise history — and drilling 13 of 22 three-point attempts (59%) in that period. Nikola Jokic sparked the onslaught with 19 first-quarter points, and Jamal Murray took over in the second quarter, hitting three straight threes and contributing 15 points in that period to push a large halftime lead.

Records and standout performances

The 157 points were the most the Nuggets have scored in a road game and the most by any NBA team this season; it was also the most Denver has scored in regulation in franchise history. Jokic finished with 32 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, while Murray added 25 points, six rebounds and six assists. Both stars left the game at the end of the third quarter with Denver up by 40.

Other contributors included Deni Avdija, who posted a double-double with 15 points and 13 assists while adding eight rebounds. For Portland, Jrue Holiday led the scoring with 19 points. Early in the night, Donovan Clingan and Scoot Henderson provided offensive sparks for Portland, but the Blazers were unable to sustain that production against Denver's surge.

Portland reaction and outlook

Portland acting head coach Tiago Splitter called it "one of our worst games of the season" and said the Nuggets came in with a sense of urgency after a recent loss. The Blazers were missing Shaedon Sharpe, and three-point champion Damian Lillard was not available, but coaching emphasized execution errors — missed rotations, fouling and breakdowns on defense — as key factors in the blowout.

Portland has a quick turnaround, heading to Phoenix for a road game with tipoff scheduled for 8 p. m. ET on Sunday. Splitter said the team needs to bounce back, focusing on effort, communication and minimizing mistakes that cost them against Denver. After the nuggets vs trail blazers result, that next game will be an immediate barometer of how Portland responds.

Game context and schedule notes

Denver played on the second night of a back-to-back after a loss the previous night, yet still produced the lopsided outcome. The performance included frequent trips to the free-throw line and continued three-point success into the third quarter, which helped Denver carry a 40-point advantage into the final period.

On the Portland side, rookie center Yang Hansen received extended minutes in the fourth quarter opposite veteran Jonas Valanciunas; Hansen had met Jokic before the game and had joked earlier that he would "kiss" Jokic if they met at All-Star weekend.

• Score: Denver 157, Portland 103 — Portland's largest loss of the season.
• Notable stats: Denver scored 82 in the first half; 13-of-22 threes (59%) in the first half.
• Next: Portland visits Phoenix Sunday at 8 p. m. ET; Denver's recent stretch included back-to-back play.

The outcome reaffirmed Denver's offensive potency coming out of the break and left Portland facing immediate questions about consistency and recovery with a challenging schedule ahead.