Dallas Mavericks star Anthony Davis dropped a season-high 32 points and 13 rebounds in his second return after another injury setback, to beat the Denver Nuggets 131-121 on Monday night.
While rookie Ryan Nembhard contributed a double-double of 28 points and 10 assists, and Cooper Flagg with 24 points, it helped Dallas win consecutive games for the first time this early season.
The Nuggets are now facing their fourth straight loss at home, with three of those losses coming against teams with losing records.
Spencer Jones had 28 points, and Nikola Jokic dropped his 11th triple-double of the season as he finished with 29 points, a season-high 20 rebounds, and 13 assists.
Denver played the fourth quarter shorthanded without Jamal Murray, who exited to the locker room at halftime.
Murray went to the floor in the first minute of the third quarter, hung back at the defensive end, and then walked outside the court, but returned in a bit.
Davis missed 14 games before returning against the Lakers on Friday, where he sat out Saturday for maintenance, resulting in a dominant performance in his seventh game of the season.
Despite the Nuggets leading by 17 early in the first half, they were outscored 42-27 in the second quarter, and they allowed 41 or more in the remaining quarters.
The Mavs trailed by four with 9:31 left but used an 18-5 run to lead 129-117 with 1:29 left.
Jokic and the Nuggets missed 10 straight shots, six from 3-point range, until Peyton Watson finished two consecutive baskets.
Denver looks forward to bouncing back when it faces the Pacers, while the Mavericks aim to start their winning momentum against the Heat on Wednesday night.
