The Memphis Grizzlies secured a commanding 105-90 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night, taking advantage of Nikola Jokic’s absence due to personal reasons.
The win marked Memphis’ fourth straight home victory as they improved to an 8-6 record.
Jaren Jackson Jr. led the Grizzlies with 20 points, while rookie Jaylen Wells added 15 points. Memphis showcased their fast-paced play, forcing Denver to struggle defensively.
Desmond Bane contributed a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds, along with seven assists, highlighting the team’s balanced effort.
Denver, now 7-5, missed Jokic’s scoring and playmaking presence. Julian Strawther emerged as the Nuggets’ top scorer with 19 points off the bench, but poor shooting and turnovers plagued the team.
Both Christian Braun and Jamal Murray scored 13 points each, combining for a lackluster 1-of-8 from beyond the arc.
Memphis’ efficiency from three-point range was a key factor. After struggling from deep in their previous outing, they hit nine triples in the first half alone and finished the night shooting 33.3% from beyond the arc. Their defensive pressure also generated 20 fast-break points, keeping Denver on the back foot.
Denver’s struggles extended beyond Jokic’s absence. Forward Aaron Gordon, sidelined with a calf strain, left the team without two of its primary offensive options.
The Nuggets committed 14 turnovers, leading to 20 points for Memphis. This disparity in ball control and Memphis’ dominance on fast breaks proved decisive. Denver shot 41.7% from the field but lacked the cohesion to overcome their missing stars.
