Despite Luka Doncic’s 38-point performance, it wasn’t enough to lift the short-handed Dallas Mavericks (16-10) as they fell to the Denver Nuggets (18-10) with a final score of 130-104 on Monday night.
Jamal Murray, on the path to recovery from injuries, showcased his scoring prowess with 22 points, including a perfect 4-for-4 from beyond the arc, leading the Nuggets to a decisive victory.
Aaron Gordon matched his season-high with 21 points, while Nikola Jokic contributed eight points, nine rebounds, and seven assists.
The Nuggets’ bench played a pivotal role, outscoring the Mavericks’ reserves by a substantial 62-34 margin.
Despite Doncic’s remarkable 22-point second quarter and an overall double-double with 11 rebounds, the Mavericks couldn’t overcome the Nuggets’ offensive onslaught.
The Mavericks faced additional challenges with key players sidelined, including Kyrie Irving (heel), Josh Green (elbow), Maxi Kleber (toe), and Dereck Lively II (ankle).
Tim Hardaway Jr. made a significant move, surpassing his father, Tim Hardaway Sr., for 44th place on the NBA’s career 3-pointers list.
The matchup between Jokic and Markieff Morris marked their first encounter since the infamous scuffle on November 8, 2021, where Jokic’s retaliation led to a suspension, and Morris suffered a four-month absence due to whiplash.
