NBA Notes: Nuggets, Nikola Jokic, Knicks, Bucks, Taurean Prince, Knicks

Nuggets

Nikola Jokic had scored 50 before, but never in a win. That changed Wednesday. The three-time MVP dropped a ridiculous 55 on the Clippers — a hyper-efficient 18-of-23 from the field, 5-of-6 from deep and 14-of-16 at the line — in only 33 minutes.

Denver won, and Jokic finally got to enjoy one of those nights.

“I think I scored more than 50 a couple of times and we lost every time,” Jokic said, via Bennett Durando of The Denver Post. “I think this is the first time we won. So it’s a good feeling.”

It’s been that kind of run for Jokic. As The AP’s Beth Harris noted, he’s averaging 35.8 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists during Denver’s six-game streak, shooting an absurd 73.9 percent from the field and 55.6 percent from three.

Elsewhere in Denver, forward Peyton Watson is making some off-court moves ahead of his restricted free agency.

Watson has joined Klutch Sports, the agency announced. The 23-year-old — previously with Excel — is averaging 6.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks in 21 minutes.

Bucks

Milwaukee will be without Taurean Prince for a while. The veteran forward underwent neck surgery Thursday to address a herniated disk, the team announced. There’s no timetable for his return.

Prince re-signed with the Bucks this summer on a two-year deal and likely picks up his 2026-27 option now. He played eight games before the injury, shooting 42.9 percent from deep. Last season, he appeared in 80 games and hit nearly 44 percent from three.

Kyle Kuzma has picked up extra minutes in his absence and should continue to do so with Prince expected to miss extended time.

Knicks

New York hasn’t gotten what it hoped from Guerschon Yabusele. Signed with most of the taxpayer mid-level with plans for a real role, the French forward has struggled to find rhythm early, as The Daily News’ Kristian Winfield wrote.

Head coach Mike Brown said the inconsistency is partly on him.

“It’s the circumstance sometimes,” Brown said. “I put him in, take him out. Hard to get a rhythm doing that. I’ve got to take some blame.”

The Knicks were hammered by Orlando on Wednesday, snapping their five-game win streak — and losing Jalen Brunson to what now looks like a minor ankle sprain.

The fourth quarter ended with Mikal Bridges playing only one minute and Josh Hart not playing at all, a decision Brown didn’t explain and his players couldn’t either.

“I’m not sure,” Bridges said after finishing with six points. Hart said the team simply didn’t match the Magic’s physicality.

“We learned a lesson,” he said, via The New York Post’s Stefan Bondy. “We’ve got a tough, physical opponent (Miami) Friday. We have to respond.”