The Dallas Mavericks (9-7) claimed a hard-fought 123-120 victory over the Denver Nuggets (8-6) in an NBA Cup game on Friday night.
Despite playing without Luka Doncic, the Mavericks held off a late Nuggets rally to improve to 2-1 in West Group C.
Naji Marshall led the Mavericks with a career-high 26 points, while P.J. Washington added 22 points and 13 rebounds. Washington’s late-game heroics were crucial as he scored nine points in the final 2:41 to seal the win.
Dallas had a commanding 20-point lead at halftime but found themselves trailing by five in the fourth quarter. However, the Mavericks responded with a crucial 11-2 run in the final minutes to regain control.
Kyrie Irving contributed 19 points, and Dereck Lively II played a key role defensively with multiple big blocks late in the game. Seven Mavericks players scored in double figures, showcasing the team’s depth.
Nikola Jokic returned for the Nuggets after missing three games, and the reigning MVP recorded a triple-double with 33 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists. Despite Jokic’s stellar performance, Denver was eliminated from the knockout round with the loss.
Russell Westbrook had an impressive game, scoring 16 points, including 4-of-6 from three-point range. Christian Braun also contributed 17 points.
The Nuggets made a late push, taking a 113-108 lead in the fourth quarter, but the Mavericks’ defense and timely offense proved too much.
The game was tied at 113 with just under two minutes remaining when Lively II blocked layups from both Jokic and Westbrook in rapid succession, preserving Dallas’ chance at victory.
The Mavericks’ defense was a standout, forcing 19 turnovers, while the team also dominated fast-break points, outscoring the Nuggets 21-7.
Denver’s struggles continued as they failed to close out the game despite a strong showing from their stars. The Nuggets’ loss, combined with the absence of key players like Aaron Gordon and Vlatko Cancar, has them eliminated from the NBA Cup’s knockout stages.
