Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray delivered a combined 54 points to lead the Denver Nuggets to a dramatic 132-129 overtime victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday night.
Jokic overcame a slow start, failing to score in the first 21 minutes, but finished with his ninth triple-double of the season. The reigning MVP tallied 27 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists, including a crucial six points in overtime.
Murray matched Jokic’s scoring total with 27 points, including the final five points for Denver in the extra period.
The Pelicans appeared poised for an upset, holding a 107-98 lead with 7:50 left in regulation. However, Jokic spearheaded a 15-2 run to flip the momentum, giving Denver a four-point advantage with under four minutes remaining.
New Orleans refused to go quietly, with CJ McCollum hitting a clutch three-pointer to take a 119-117 lead in the final minute. Murray responded by tying the game with 8.8 seconds left in regulation. McCollum’s last-second three-point attempt fell short, sending the game to overtime.
Russell Westbrook also played a pivotal role, contributing 21 points off the bench to keep the Nuggets competitive throughout.
For New Orleans, Jordan Hawkins led the team with 25 points, including five three-pointers. McCollum added 24 points and nine assists, while Dejounte Murray dished out a career-high 15 assists in the loss.
The Pelicans, now 5-25, recorded a season-high 37 assists. However, turnovers and late-game execution proved costly, with Denver capitalizing on key possessions in the final moments.
The Nuggets improved to 15-11 and will face the Phoenix Suns next. New Orleans, mired in a 16-loss streak, will look to regroup as they prepare for a matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies.
