In a dazzling display of offensive firepower, Jamal Murray erupted for a season-high 52 points as the Denver Nuggets toppled the injury-riddled Indiana Pacers 135-120 on Wednesday night in Indianapolis. Murray, who was a game-time decision due to a sprained right ankle suffered just two days earlier, delivered one of the most efficient performances of his career, shooting 19-of-25 from the field and an astounding 10-of-11 from three-point range. Despite being listed as questionable late in the afternoon, Murray showed no signs of discomfort, falling just three points shy of his career-best mark.
Nikola Jokic, Denver’s perennial MVP candidate, was also in top form, contributing 24 points, eight rebounds, and 13 assists. Though he narrowly missed out on notching another triple-double—coming up just two rebounds short—Jokic maintained his league lead in triple-doubles this season, with 11 to his name. The Serbian center played in front of NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, who was in attendance at Gainbridge Fieldhouse to witness the Nuggets’ offensive onslaught.
“It’s just about staying aggressive and trusting my teammates,” Murray said after the game, according to AP. “Even when I’m not 100 percent, I know they’ve got my back.” His words rang true as the Nuggets, despite missing several key rotation players, put together their second-highest scoring output of the season and secured their third win in five games.
Denver entered the contest with a 14-6 record, but recent injuries had cast a shadow over the roster. Jokic himself was listed as probable due to a nagging left wrist sprain that’s lingered since mid-November, though he has yet to miss a game. Jamal Murray’s status was in doubt after he tweaked his ankle in Monday’s loss to Dallas, where he managed just 10 points on 37.5% shooting. The Nuggets were also without defensive stalwarts Aaron Gordon (hamstring), Christian Braun (ankle), and Julian Strawther (back), as well as G League assignments Tamar Bates and DaRon Holmes II. The depleted lineup forced Denver to lean heavily on its stars, and Murray and Jokic delivered in style.
For the Pacers, the story was one of resilience in the face of mounting adversity. Indiana, already reeling from a 4-17 start to the season, was without key contributors Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles), Obi Toppin (foot), and Aaron Nesmith (MCL sprain), among others. Despite the absence of their floor general and several rotation pieces, the Pacers put up a spirited fight. Pascal Siakam led the way with 23 points, while Andrew Nembhard chipped in 16 points and seven assists. In total, six Pacers reached double figures, a testament to their depth and determination even as wins have been hard to come by.
The Nuggets wasted little time asserting themselves, racing out to a 27-17 lead with a 13-0 run in the opening quarter. Indiana clawed back to within five midway through the second, but Denver closed the half on a devastating 22-3 burst, holding the Pacers scoreless for over four minutes and heading into the locker room with a commanding advantage. By the middle of the third quarter, the Nuggets’ lead had ballooned to 92-63, and the contest seemed destined for a rout.
But the Pacers, backed by their passionate home crowd, refused to fold. They mounted multiple fourth-quarter rallies, slicing the deficit to 13 points on several occasions and forcing Denver to keep its foot on the gas. “The Pacers always compete and have a great homecourt that will fuel the inevitable runs that Denver’s leaky defense will make available to them,” noted Denver Stiffs in their pregame coverage. Yet, every time Indiana threatened, Murray or Jokic would answer with a timely bucket or playmaking sequence.
Spencer Jones, a recent bright spot for Denver, once again made his presence felt. Over the last five games where he’s played at least 22 minutes, Jones has averaged 11.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and two made threes per game. His aggressive defense and willingness to do the dirty work have become invaluable as the Nuggets patch together their rotation. “Jones isn’t a more valuable rotation player than Hunter Tyson with significantly more upside and should be signed to the 15-man roster,” Denver Stiffs argued, highlighting his emergence amid the team’s injury woes.
For Indiana, the loss underscored the toll that injuries have taken on last season’s Eastern Conference finalists. The Pacers, who opened the year by dropping 13 of their first 14 games, had recently shown signs of life by winning two of their last three, including a nail-biter against the Chicago Bulls. But with so many key pieces sidelined, matching Denver’s offensive firepower proved a bridge too far.
Looking ahead, both teams face quick turnarounds. The Nuggets travel to Atlanta to face the Hawks on Friday night, hoping to build on the momentum from their offensive explosion in Indianapolis. The Pacers, meanwhile, head to Chicago for a matchup with the Bulls, still searching for answers as they try to weather the storm of early-season injuries.
Fans looking to catch the action can tune in to Altitude Network or FanDuel Sports Network Indiana Pacers for local coverage, with live streaming available via NBA League Pass. Tipoff for both teams’ next games is scheduled for Friday, December 5, 2025.
As the calendar turns to December, Denver’s victory in Indianapolis serves as a reminder of their championship pedigree—and the importance of star power when adversity strikes. Murray’s 52-point masterpiece and Jokic’s near triple-double were just what the doctor ordered for a banged-up Nuggets squad determined to stay near the top of the Western Conference standings. For the Pacers, the hope is that reinforcements will arrive soon, allowing them to rediscover the form that made them contenders just a season ago. Until then, the grind continues—and if Wednesday night was any indication, neither side is backing down from the challenge.
