The Denver Nuggets suffered a crushing loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night that ended with some controversial calls, but they were able to bounce

Nikola Jokic scored a season-high 34 points and had 14 assists, Aaron Gordon added 20 points and the Denver Nuggets never trailed in a 130-124 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Monday night.

The Nuggets and Kings are set to face off at 7:00 p.m. MT on Monday in Denver. This article was originally published on www.si.com/nba/nuggets/onsi as Nuggets Upgrade Two Starters' Injury Status Before Kings Game.

The Kings came back to cut the deficit to two on a three-point play by LaVine with 4:28 to play in the second quarter, but they trailed 72-63 at the halftime break. Jokic led all scorers with 22 points in the first half. Westbrook had 18 points and seven rebounds for Sacramento.

On "Kings Postgame Live," Deuce Mason and Morgan Ragan discuss Sacramento's 130-124 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Monday at Ball Arena.Kings conclude losing road trip with difficult defeat vs. Nuggets

Relying on depth to take the edge off starters who’ve encountered minor injuries early this season, Denver held off the Sacramento Kings at Ball Arena for a 130-124 win. Nikola Jokic recorded 34 points, seven rebounds, 14 assists and three steals in his most aggressive game of the season so far as a scorer to lead Denver.

Zach LaVine is questionable vs. the Nuggets with back soreness as the Kings face Jamal Murray and Denver in a key Western clash.