Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray combined for 77 points as the Denver Nuggets overcame a 23-point deficit to defeat the New Orleans Pelicans 141-135 in overtime on Saturday night at Ball Arena.
Jokic finished with 35 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists for his 199th career regular-season triple-double, while Murray scored 42 points and made eight three-pointers. Jokic scored eight points in overtime, helping Denver secure its first win of the season after opening the campaign 0-1.
The short-handed Nuggets trailed by as many as 23 points after New Orleans shot 65.9% from the field in the first half. The Pelicans led 73-57 at halftime and extended their advantage to 19 points entering the fourth quarter, despite Jokic and Murray combining for 22 of Denver’s 32 points in the third.
Denver mounted its comeback in the fourth quarter, using three-pointers from Murray and Jokic and a reverse dunk by Aaron Gordon to erase the deficit. Murray had a chance to put the Nuggets ahead with 17 seconds remaining but made two of three free throws, tying the game and sending it to overtime.
The Nuggets took control in the extra period. Trevon Brazile scored seven of his 17 points in overtime during his home debut, and his corner three-pointer with 1:25 remaining gave Denver a 133-129 lead. Jokic added eight points in the period as Denver outscored New Orleans 15-9 to complete the comeback.
Murray’s eight three-pointers and 10-for-13 shooting from the free-throw line powered his 42-point performance. Aaron Gordon added seven points, five rebounds and four assists, while Christian Braun contributed 15 points and eight rebounds for Denver.
Trey Murphy III led New Orleans with 26 points, six rebounds and four assists. Dejounte Murray added 22 points and six assists, while Zion Williamson and Derik Queen scored 17 points apiece. Queen also grabbed eight rebounds off the bench.
The loss dropped the Pelicans to 0-3 under first-year head coach Jamahl Mosley. New Orleans also received positive news on Yves Missi, whose knee injury sustained Friday against Utah was diagnosed as a contusion rather than a more serious injury.
Jokic’s 199 regular-season triple-doubles leave him 10 short of Russell Westbrook’s record of 209.
The Nuggets will host the Golden State Warriors on Monday, while the Pelicans will host Denver on Wednesday.
