In a high-octane battle in Houston, Jamal Murray’s explosive 39-point display led the Denver Nuggets to a thrilling 116-111 win over the Rockets on Sunday night. The victory put an end to Houston’s impressive nine-game win streak.
Murray was in top form, scoring 17 points in the first half before erupting with 17 more in the third quarter to help Denver outscore the Rockets 39-22 in that period, establishing a commanding 96-79 lead. Michael Porter Jr. contributed 17 points and nine rebounds, while Russell Westbrook came off the bench to notch 14 points for the Nuggets.
Jalen Green paced the Rockets with 30 points, supported by Dillon Brooks’ 21 points. Alperen Sengun recorded a triple-double with 17 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Denver’s strong performance.
The Nuggets shot an impressive 51% from the field and connected on 10 of 21 three-point attempts, showcasing their offensive prowess. On the other hand, Houston struggled with their shooting, hitting only 44% of their shots and going 11 of 34 from beyond the arc.
In a nail-biting finish, Houston mounted a late comeback, narrowing the gap to three points with 21 seconds left. However, clutch free throws from Christian Braun and Jamal Murray sealed the win for Denver.
Notable Absence: Nikola Jokic missed his fourth consecutive game due to a left ankle injury, but Denver managed to secure their second win in his absence.
Looking ahead, the Nuggets will face the Chicago Bulls on Monday night, while the Rockets will host the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night.
