Nikola Jokic changed some longstanding NBA history, and the Nuggets reversed some recent history on Saturday in Chicago.

Jokic moved into second place on the NBA’s career triple-double list, while the Nuggets avoided a winless road trip and ended a three-game losing streak against the Bulls.

Here are five takeaways from Denver’s 136-120 win at the United Center:

1. And then there was one. Nikola Jokic recorded the 182^nd triple-double of his career in the middle of the third quarter to move past Oscar Robertson. Jokic grabbed his 10^th rebound with more than three minutes left in the first half, passed 10 points on the first possession of the third quarter and set up Cam Johnson’s dunk for his 10^th assist with seven minutes left in the third quarter. He finished with 22 points on 12 shots to go with 17 assists, 14 rebounds, four blocks and a steal. That’s the kind of performance that can help Jokic make up any ground that was lost in the Most Valuable Player race while he was out with injury. Robertson played in 1,040 regular-season games and 86 more in the playoffs throughout his career, which started in 1960 and ended in 1974. Saturday was Jokic’s 782nd regular-season game with 94 more appearances in the playoffs since his NBA career started in 2015. At this rate, Jokic should catch Russell Westbrook’s 207 and counting triple-doubles early next season.
2. That game should’ve been significantly easier for the Nuggets. The Bulls made seven trades before the deadline and shipped out its leading scorer, Coby White, and leading rebounder, Nikola Vucevic, among others. A few of the new faces played their first game for the Bulls on Saturday. That still didn’t help Denver’s defense. The Nuggets gave up 104 points through three quarters. After losing to the Thunder, Pistons and Knicks, the Nuggets showed up like they would breeze to a victory in the Windy City, but that required a dominant fourth quarter. It could and should have been a lot easier, as indicated by Denver’s 39-16 advantage in the fourth quarter.

3. Nuggets fans can exhale after Jamal Murray’s early exit. In his postgame press conference, Nuggets coach David Adelman said Murray is confident he’s fine after grabbing at his left hip in the middle of the fourth quarter. Murray briefly headed to the back with a trainer but returned to the bench for the final minutes. That should mean Murray’s able to play in his first All-Star Game in a week. He played like an All-Star on Saturday, finishing with 28 points on 18 shots with 11 assists. The efficiency with which Murray has been able to set up his teammates has been the biggest step forward this season.

4. There were a few even more promising signs behind Denver’s big two. Cam Johnson played in his first game since Dec. 23 and finished with 14 points on 6-for-9 shooting. Christian Braun looked more like himself and contributed on both ends with 10 points on six shots with a steal and a block, while Julian Strawther kept his hot streak going. Strawther finished with 19 points, five rebounds and a couple of steals. Strawther’s established a strong reputation as a shooter, but his rebounding has also been a big boost while the Nuggets have been without Aaron Gordon and now Peyton Watson.

5. The Nuggets are among the teams doing its due diligence on Lonzo Ball, according to multiple reports. Ball is one of the top options available on the buyout market, but there should be a lot of diligence done before any contract is offered. Ball suffered a series of injuries to his left knee that cost him most of three seasons. That should be extra concerning given Denver’s current injury situation. Golden State is also reportedly interested in acquiring the services of the 28-year-old guard, who averaged 4.6 points, 4 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 21 minutes per game for the Cavaliers this season. Cleveland traded him to Utah ahead of the deadline, and the Jazz went on to waive Ball on Thursday. If the Nuggets sign Spencer Jones, who missed Saturday’s game due to a concussion, as expected, they would have one remaining standard roster spot and one two-way spot available.

NUGGETS 136, BULLS 120

What happened: Chicago trailed by three after the first quarter but led 65-59 at halftime. Denver trailed by seven to start the fourth but dominated the fourth to improve to 34-19, good for third in the Western Conference.

What went right: Denver dominated the Bulls inside after Chicago traded away its starting center. The Nuggets finished with a 60-36 advantage in paint points.

What went wrong: A lot of points were left at the free throw line. Denver made just 22 of its 33 attempts. Tim Hardaway Jr. went an uncharacteristic 8-of-12, while Jonas Valanciunas missed all three of his attempts.

Highlight of the night: The easiest bucket of Cam Johnson’s night was also the biggest. With Denver down two early in the third quarter, Nikola Jokic found a wide-open Johnson for a driving dunk that completed triple-double No. 182.

Up Next: The Nuggets return to Ball Arena for Monday’s home game against James Harden and the Cavaliers.