MEMPHIS, Tenn. — In an NBA matchup, Jaren Jackson delivered an impressive performance with 20 points, leading the Memphis Grizzlies to a commanding 105-90 win over the depleted Denver Nuggets on Sunday. The game marked the first in a two-game series between the teams, with a rematch scheduled for Tuesday night in Memphis as part of the NBA Cup.
Denver was without its star player, center Nikola Jokic, who was absent due to personal matters, and forward Aaron Gordon was sidelined as he recovers from a strained right calf. This defeat added to the Nuggets’ struggles, marking their second consecutive loss.
Rookie Jaylen Wells contributed significantly to Memphis’s success, adding 15 points, while Desmond Bane tallied a well-rounded 11 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists. On the other side, Julian Strawther was the standout for Denver, scoring 19 points. Meanwhile, Christian Braun and Jamal Murray each contributed 13 points, but the duo collectively struggled, hitting only 11 of 26 shots from the field and just 1 of 8 from beyond the arc.
The game highlighted some key takeaways for both teams. For the Nuggets, the absence of Jokic left a noticeable void in their lineup. His usual contributions of nearly 30 points and 13.7 rebounds were sorely missed, and the team struggled offensively, indicating a challenging evening on the court. Conversely, the Grizzlies capitalized on their quick-paced style of play, resulting in 20 points from fast breaks that kept the Nuggets defense on high alert.
A critical moment occurred in the second quarter when Memphis embarked on a daunting 14-1 scoring spree, transforming a narrow lead into a significant double-digit advantage. During the same period, Memphis outscored Denver 27-18 and continued its momentum into the second half by scoring 10 consecutive points right after the break.
A significant statistic from the game was that Memphis, which had struggled with three-point shooting in their previous contest, managed to hit nine three-pointers in the first half alone, allowing them to secure a substantial lead. By the game’s conclusion, the Grizzlies had concluded with a total of 13 three-pointers out of 39 attempts.
The teams are set to face off once again on Tuesday night, as the series continues.