DENVER — The Denver Nuggets, led by Jamal Murray’s 22 points and Aaron Gordon’s season-high tying 21 points, convincingly defeated the Dallas Mavericks 130-104 on Monday night. The Nuggets’ victory was a strong response to their recent home loss to Oklahoma City, showcasing their depth and offensive firepower.
Murray, who has been dealing with hamstring and ankle injuries this season, showed signs of regaining his shooting form, going a perfect 4 for 4 from the 3-point range. His performance was pivotal in Denver’s third-quarter surge, where he scored 10 points during a 21-10 run that helped the Nuggets pull away from the Mavericks.
Nikola Jokic contributed eight points, nine rebounds, and seven assists, allowing Denver’s starters to rest during the fourth quarter. A notable aspect of the game was the Nuggets’ bench outscoring the Mavericks’ reserves 62-34.
Luka Doncic tried to keep Dallas in the game, scoring 22 of his 38 points in the second quarter and finishing with 11 rebounds. However, his efforts were not enough to overcome the absence of key players like Kyrie Irving, Josh Green, Maxi Kleber, and Dereck Lively II due to injuries.
Tim Hardaway Jr. made a personal achievement, surpassing his father, Tim Hardaway Sr., on the league’s career 3-pointers list. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, returning from concussion protocol, contributed nine points and played a crucial role in cooling off Doncic in the second half.
An intriguing subplot of the game was the presence of Jokic and Markieff Morris on the court together for the first time since their altercation in November 2021. Their previous encounter had led to Jokic’s one-game suspension and Morris missing four months due to whiplash.
The win marks a positive momentum shift for the Nuggets as they look to maintain their form in upcoming games.
Looking ahead, the Mavericks will host the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday, while the Nuggets start a three-game trip, beginning in Toronto on the same day.
