Pistons Edge Nuggets In Wild Finish As Murray Misses Late Free Throws

The Detroit Pistons have done it again—this time in the thin air of Denver, where they managed to snatch a dramatic 109-107 victory over the shorthanded Nuggets on January 27, 2026. It was a contest that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the very last second, with wild swings, missed opportunities, and just enough grit from both sides to make for a memorable NBA showdown at Ball Arena.

Let’s set the scene: the Pistons, who have been the class of the Eastern Conference all season, entered the night riding high atop the standings with a 33-11 record. Their opponent, the Denver Nuggets, were without three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, sidelined for a month with a knee injury, as well as starters Aaron Gordon (hamstring) and Christian Braun (ankle). Cameron Johnson was also out with a knee issue, leaving Denver’s bench stretched thin. Yet, the Nuggets have shown surprising resilience in Jokic’s absence, going 9-5 without their superstar and refusing to roll over for anyone.

From the opening tip, it was clear the Pistons meant business. They jumped out to a 31-18 lead after the first quarter, holding Denver to just 31.6% shooting and dominating the paint. Cade Cunningham, Detroit’s dynamic guard, set the tone early and never let up, finishing with 22 points and 11 assists despite nursing a sore wrist. Tobias Harris, too, stepped up when it mattered most, pouring in 22 points and grabbing eight rebounds—including the crucial free throws that helped ice the game in the closing moments.

But the Nuggets, led by Jamal Murray, simply refused to quit. Murray, who’s torched the Pistons in previous meetings, came alive in the second half, orchestrating a furious rally that saw Denver erase an 18-point deficit. His 24 points and 10 assists kept the home crowd roaring, even as he struggled from deep (0-for-6 from three) and at the line (10-for-15 on free throws). Still, the narrative of the night would ultimately hinge on Murray’s late-game heroics—and heartbreak.

With under a minute to play, Denver trailed by just one after Tim Hardaway Jr. drilled a clutch three-pointer, making it 103-102. The Pistons responded with big plays from Harris and Cunningham, pushing the lead back out, but the Nuggets weren’t done yet. Murray, ever the competitor, drew two fouls on desperation three-point attempts by Javonte Green—first with 3.5 seconds left, then again with just 0.7 seconds on the clock. It was a wild, almost surreal sequence, and the tension in Ball Arena was palpable.

“I’ve got to be better. I had a golden opportunity there—twice,” Murray admitted after the game, visibly frustrated. He missed the first of three free throws with 3.5 seconds remaining, made the next two to pull Denver within one, then watched as Harris calmly sank a pair of free throws to push Detroit’s lead to three. On the next possession, Murray was fouled again beyond the arc. He made the first, missed the second, and intentionally missed the third, but the Nuggets couldn’t secure the rebound as time expired. The chance to force overtime slipped right through their fingers.

Denver coach David Adelman, filling in admirably during Jokic’s absence, was quick to back his star guard. “We still had a chance, with our best free-throw shooter, one of the best free-throw shooters I’ve ever seen, at the line. … He was great in the second half,” Adelman said. When pressed about what he’d say to Murray, Adelman replied, “I hope he shoots them again, because he’s a great free-throw shooter, and he’s made some of the biggest free throws in the history of this franchise.”

Despite the defeat, Adelman praised his team’s effort: “We clawed and clawed but never got to the top of the mountain. A tremendous effort by the guys, but we just didn’t play well enough to win the game.” The Nuggets, who have struggled with efficiency since Jokic went down (ranking 21st in the NBA in field goal percentage over that stretch), showed plenty of heart but just couldn’t get over the hump.

The Pistons, meanwhile, didn’t have their best shooting night either—especially from deep. At one point, they were an abysmal 1-for-21 from three-point range. But they found ways to score, especially inside, and got timely contributions off the bench. Jaden Ivey hit a pair of deep threes, including a buzzer-beater to end the third quarter, and Javonte Green, despite the late fouls, helped extend the lead with a crucial three-pointer in the first quarter. The Pistons’ defense, which has been their calling card all season, held Denver in check just enough, limiting second-chance opportunities and forcing tough shots.

Detroit’s victory pushed their record to 34-11, extending their lead in the Eastern Conference to 5.5 games over the Boston Celtics and a whopping 7.5 games over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Central Division. The win marked their sixth in the last seven outings, strengthening their reputation as one of the NBA’s toughest, most disciplined squads. Even with Caris LeVert missing his third straight game due to illness, the Pistons’ depth and balance were on full display.

For Denver, the loss stings, but there’s reason for optimism. Nikola Jokic is reportedly making steady progress in his rehab, and the Nuggets have managed to keep themselves in the playoff picture despite a slew of injuries. The hope is that, once healthy, they’ll return to the form that made them perennial contenders in the West.

Looking ahead, the Pistons continue their Western road swing with a game against the Phoenix Suns, followed by a tough test against the Golden State Warriors. For Nuggets fans, the wait for Jokic’s return continues, but performances like this—full of grit, hustle, and a never-say-die attitude—offer a glimmer of hope for the rest of the campaign.

On a night when both teams battled adversity, it was the Pistons who made just enough plays to escape Denver with a win. But don’t count out the Nuggets yet—especially when their MVP finally returns to the hardwood.