The Denver Nuggets missed their superstar and the NBA's reigning MVP.
Without center Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets lost their third straight game and second consecutive at home, falling to the Chicago Bulls, 114-108, Friday night at Ball Arena.
Jokic sat out with a sprained right wrist. He is averaging 26.4 points, 13.6 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game.
The Nuggets trailed 53-52 at halftime before the Bulls outscored them 35-26 in the third quarter. That turned out to be the decisive stretch of the game. The Bulls came out of halftime and reeled off a quick 8-0 run to build their lead to nine points.
Denver's 6-0 run to begin the fourth quarter got the Nuggets within four points but the Bulls were able to hold the off down the stretch.
Aaron Gordon led the Nuggets with 28 points on 10-of-12 from the field. Will Barton added 23 points.
MORE ON THE NUGGETS LOSS HERE
The Nuggets now play nine of their next ten games on the road, starting with Sunday's contest in Phoenix. Tip-off between the Nuggets and Suns will be at 6 p.m. MST.
Postgame comments from Nuggets head coach Michael Malone.
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