The Denver Nuggets continued their remarkable late-season surge on April 8, 2026, dispatching the Memphis Grizzlies 136-119 at Ball Arena in Denver. This victory marked the Nuggets’ tenth consecutive win—a milestone never before reached in Nikola Jokic’s 11-year NBA career—and further solidified their grip on the third seed in the Western Conference with just two games left in the regular season.
Coming into the matchup, the Grizzlies were reeling, hampered by a depleted roster that saw only nine active players and a staggering twelve sidelined due to injuries. Yet, Memphis arrived in Denver with their shooting hands still sizzling after tying an NBA record with 29 made three-pointers in their previous game. The first half saw the Grizzlies continue their long-range assault, draining 13 threes and tying their franchise record for most made in a half. Taylor Hendricks and Cedric Coward each contributed 14 points in the opening stanzas, helping Memphis storm out to a surprising halftime lead.
"We just wanted to play good. … We need to play good and feel good about ourselves, just because the league is so talented. Anybody can beat everybody," Jokic said of the Nuggets’ ongoing streak, according to The Denver Post. Despite Memphis’ hot start, the Nuggets’ offensive firepower proved too much as the game wore on. Jokic, the reigning three-time MVP, notched his 34th triple-double of the season—finishing with 14 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists, all by the end of the third quarter. He sat out the fourth, his work more than done for the night. This triple-double also marked the 198th of Jokic’s career, tying his personal best for a season and putting him within striking distance of Russell Westbrook’s all-time NBA record of 221, including playoff games.
Jamal Murray led all Nuggets scorers with 26 points, displaying the kind of floor leadership and shot-making that have been hallmarks of Denver’s win streak. Cameron Johnson chipped in 18 points, while Jonas Valanciunas, celebrating his 1,000th career game, added 14 points and contributed crucial minutes in the fourth quarter after battling foul trouble earlier on. Christian Braun, Tim Hardaway Jr., Bruce Brown, and Julian Strawther all reached double figures, underscoring Denver’s depth and balanced attack.
For Memphis, Cedric Coward was a bright spot, pouring in 27 points on an efficient 10-for-17 shooting night. Taylor Hendricks and Lucas Williamson each tallied 16 points, while Walter Clayton Jr. and Toby Okani contributed 15 apiece. Despite the loss, the Grizzlies’ resilience was on full display, especially during a 23-6 run in the second quarter that gave them an eight-point cushion. Even as the Nuggets rallied to a two-point lead late in the half, Williamson’s four-point play and a deft hook shot restored Memphis’ advantage, sending them into the locker room up 72-68.
But the third quarter belonged to Denver. The Nuggets, who have led the NBA in offensive rating by a resounding 3.1 points per 100 possessions over the last ten games, ratcheted up their intensity. A 14-3 run midway through the period flipped the momentum, with Jokic securing his triple-double and Murray continuing to torch the Grizzlies’ defense. By the end of the third, Denver led 107-94, and the outcome seemed inevitable.
Head coach David Adelman praised his team’s resilience and ability to adapt throughout a season that has been anything but straightforward. "I had no idea that was the case, and I’ve been here for (almost) all those years," Adelman said when told about the franchise’s first double-digit win streak in over a decade. He added, "This whole season has been unique, man. I feel like we played really well at the start, and then we survived for three months, and now we’re playing really well again. … Cool way to close it out with three to go. Hopefully momentum-building. It feels like it is, with the vibe of the group."
The Nuggets’ surge has seen them leap from sixth place to third in the Western Conference, now sitting 1.5 games ahead of both the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets. The Lakers hold the tiebreaker, but Denver’s recent form—and a favorable closing schedule—has them in the driver’s seat. Their remaining games include a home tilt against Oklahoma City on April 10 and a season finale at San Antonio on April 12. As Adelman noted, "We need to win the next game. That’s how these guys have been."
Denver’s improvement has not been limited to offense. Their turnover rate over the last ten games is an NBA-best 10.9%, with a sparkling three assists per turnover ratio. While their defense still ranks just 20th during the streak, the Nuggets have shown better situational awareness and have managed to close out games that previously slipped away. "I think good teams kind of hang their hat on defense and force teams to play bad, and I think we need to do a better job of that," Christian Braun admitted, acknowledging that the team’s defensive consistency remains a work in progress.
Jamal Murray, reflecting on the team’s priorities, emphasized health above all else as the playoffs approach. "I feel like we’re just trying to get everybody healthy. That’s the priority. This year, it’s just get everybody healthy. Get the defense right and get everybody in rhythm offensively. That’s what it is this year." With Peyton Watson and Spencer Jones still working their way back to full fitness, Denver’s depth could be a decisive factor in the postseason.
For Memphis, the story is one of perseverance in the face of adversity. The Grizzlies have now dropped six straight and 19 of their last 21, falling to a 25-55 record. Injuries have ravaged their lineup, forcing lesser-known players into significant roles and leaving the team looking ahead to next season. They’ll get another chance to snap their skid on April 10 when they visit the Utah Jazz.
As the regular season winds down, the Nuggets are peaking at just the right time. Their offense is humming, Jokic is on the cusp of history, and the team’s confidence is soaring. Whether this momentum carries over into the playoffs remains to be seen, but for now, Denver fans have plenty to cheer about after a night that blended franchise history with the promise of more to come.