The Denver Nuggets narrowly defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 132-129 on Sunday night, showcasing resilience and skill during a thrilling overtime battle at the Smoothie King Center. With this victory, the Nuggets overcame their 17-point deficit and addressed previous inconsistencies to improve their overall record to 15-11.
Nikola Jokic led the charge for Denver, finishing with an impressive triple-double, scoring 27 points, grabbing 13 rebounds, and dishing out 10 assists. Despite starting slow and not scoring until eighteen minutes had passed, Jokic became instrumental during the game’s final moments, displaying his elite talent when it mattered the most.
Jamal Murray matched Jokic's scoring output with 27 points, including key shots down the stretch. He tied the game with just 8.8 seconds left in regulation, helping the Nuggets push the matchup to overtime. Not to be overlooked, Russell Westbrook also made significant contributions, adding 21 points and providing veteran leadership.
For the Pelicans, Jordan Hawkins led the offense with 25 points, followed closely by CJ McCollum, who contributed 24 points but had a missed opportunity at the buzzer to win the game. Their loss marked the disappointing milestone of 16 defeats out of their last 17 games, putting immense pressure on the team as they struggled to find consistency.
The Nuggets began the game poorly, turning the ball over multiple times and allowing the Pelicans to seize control early. At halftime, Denver found themselves trailing 67-59, burdened by 22 turnovers throughout the game, which allowed New Orleans to capitalize for 27 points. It was evident through the first half of play, especially when the Nuggets turned it over 11 times, resulting in 14 points for the Pelicans. ”We have got to value possessions,” remarked coach Mike Malone, highlighting the team’s need to improve ball control.
Denver's defense also struggled, particularly against dribble penetration, allowing the Pelicans to score easily and maintain their lead. The Nuggets needed to rally and showed tremendous heart as they found their rhythm, battling back from what appeared to be another disappointing loss. Coach Malone's pre-game plea for increased intensity was lived out on the court, as his team rallied at pivotal moments.
With seven minutes left before entering overtime, the Pelicans held a 107-98 lead, but Jokic powered through, scoring seven points during what turned to be a 15-2 Nugget’s run, bringing the score to 113-109. The combination of Jokic's play and Murray's clutch shooting laid the groundwork for the eventual overtime period. Denver's execution improved, capitalizing on poor decisions made by the Pelicans.
Overtime began with Jokic scoring the first six points for the Nuggets, solidifying their grasp on the lead. He assisted Aaron Gordon on his pivotal layup, extending the score to 129-125 as the Nuggets took control. Murray’s rebound secured Denver’s chances, providing the Nuggets with the much-needed momentum to close out the game. Murray continued to stitch together efficient plays, making it clear he was ready to take on the pressure.
After the game, Nuggets coach Mike Malone emphasized the potential challenges the team faced: “We’ve had a Club Med vacation schedule the last two weeks... and now we start five games in five nights. We’ll see what our team is made of,” articulately putting forward the fatigue challenges and the importance of the upcoming matches.
The Pelicans recorded notable team statistics, particularly 37 assists, led by Dejounte Murray's 15 assists, which suggests they moved the ball effectively, yet lacked the finishing touches to secure the victories needed. The loss continues to amplify concerns surrounding the team's performance and cohesion, which may turn problematic if not addressed moving forward.
Jokic’s performance is set against the backdrop of the constant need for the Nuggets to start games strong rather than attempting to claw back late. The team has shown they can come back from 10-point deficits multiple times this season – this win marked the ninth such comeback – but maintaining intensity from the start is ideal for their future success.
Up next, the Nuggets will return to Denver to face the Phoenix Suns, another tough matchup where they will need to carry the lessons learned from this resilient overtime victory. Meanwhile, the Pelicans will look to regroup as they prepare to face the Houston Rockets on Thursday, hoping to break their losing streak and find their footing again on the court.
