DENVER _ Kristaps Porzingis returned after a one-game injury absence, but not for long. Dogged by foul trouble, Porzingis was limited to just over 27 minutes and fouled out with 4:49 in the fourth as the Knicks fell to the Nuggets on Thursday night at the Pepsi Center, 130-118.
It was the Knicks' 10th straight defeat in Denver. The 130 points allowed were a season high for the Knicks as the Nuggets shot 60 percent from the field (48 for 60) and 50 percent (14 for 28) from 3-point range.
Porzingis, who missed Tuesday's loss at Golden State with left knee irritation, picked up his fifth foul with 5:13 to go in the third quarter and the Knicks down 10. He did not return until there was 9:54 left in the fourth and the Knicks were trailing by 17.
Porzingis sparked the Knicks to a 9-0 run. But he fouled out and the Knicks fell to 2-4 on their seven-game road trip that ends on Friday night in Phoenix.
Porzingis finished with 21 points and seven rebounds for the Knicks (21-28). Michael Beasley had 21 points, Enes Kanter scored 20 and third-string point guard Trey Burke had 18 points and 11 assists.
Gary Harris had 23 points to lead the Nuggets (25-23). Nikola Jokic had 18 points and 10 assists and Trey Lyles scored 21 off the bench.
The Knicks were without Tim Hardaway Jr., who was rested in the first game of the back-to-back as he continues to build up after missing 20 games with a stress injury of the lower left leg.
Ron Baker was coach Jeff Hornacek's surprise pick to start in Hardaway's place. Baker did not attempt a shot and went scoreless in 12:03.
