In a thrilling Sunday matchup, the Indiana Pacers (47-31) stunned the Denver Nuggets (47-32) 125-120, snapping their four-game losing streak. Despite a historic performance from Nikola Jokic, who registered 41 points, 15 rebounds, and 13 assists, Denver couldn’t overcome a costly late-game turnover and missed shots down the stretch.
The Nuggets, already dealing with the absence of Jamal Murray due to a strained hamstring, saw Jokic carry the offensive load. Jokic’s remarkable play included a career-high 30 points from Christian Braun, but his backcourt turnover with just 15 seconds remaining proved pivotal.
With the Nuggets trailing by only two points at 122-120, Jokic attempted to pass the ball to Russell Westbrook, but Braun misread the play, resulting in a turnover that sealed Denver’s fate. The turnover was one of three in the final two minutes, adding to the Nuggets’ struggles in crunch time.
The Pacers, without the injured Pascal Siakam, came back from a 13-point first-half deficit. Myles Turner led Indiana with 24 points, while Obi Toppin added 22 in his second start of the season. Tyrese Haliburton, struggling for most of the game, finished with just nine points, far below his average, but made a crucial three-pointer in the third quarter to tie the game at 84.
Haliburton’s floater late in the third gave the Pacers a 98-97 lead, setting up a tense fourth quarter. Toppin and Turner continued to spark the offense as Indiana held off a late rally from Denver, who had been clinging to their playoff spot in the West.
For Denver, the loss was another blow in a season that has quickly unraveled. A team that was once in second place in the Western Conference is now facing the possibility of a play-in game just to make the playoffs.
Indiana’s win showed their depth, with contributions from Andrew Nembhard (19 points) and solid performances off the bench from T.J. McConnell (12 points) and Jarace Walker (11 points). The Pacers showed they can win without Siakam, which could prove important as they aim to maintain their position in the top half of the Eastern Conference standings.
As for the Nuggets, the loss leaves them in a precarious spot in the tightly packed Western Conference. Their fourth consecutive defeat puts them at risk of falling into the play-in tournament, as their playoff hopes now depend on recovering from their current slump.
