DENVER — In an exciting NBA Cup matchup on Friday night, Naji Marshall set a new personal best by scoring 26 points, while P.J. Washington contributed 22 to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a narrow 123-120 victory over the Denver Nuggets. Despite relinquishing a significant 24-point advantage, the Mavericks managed to secure the win without their star player, Luka Doncic, who is sidelined due to a right wrist sprain that will keep him out for at least four games.
Dallas initially dominated the game, holding a commanding 20-point lead at halftime. However, as the second half progressed, the Nuggets managed to close the gap and even held a brief lead of five points late in the game. Washington played a crucial role in the final moments, scoring nine points within the last 2:41 to help his team improve their record to 2-1 in Group C of the Western Conference. Unfortunately for Denver, this loss means they are out of contention for the knockout round.
Nikola Jokic made a notable return after missing three games due to personal reasons, celebrating the arrival of his second child. He showcased his skills with an impressive performance, recording his sixth triple-double of the season with 33 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists. Russell Westbrook added 16 points to the Nuggets’ effort.
Dallas initially led 77-53 early in the third quarter, but the Nuggets rallied to take the lead 113-108 as the game approached its conclusion. The Mavericks then executed an impressive 11-2 run, reclaiming the lead at 119-115 with just 50 seconds left on the clock.
Key takeaways from the game highlight Dallas’s depth, with six players scoring in double digits, proving their ability to perform without Luka Doncic. For the Nuggets, Christian Braun stood out with 17 points and has been consistent, managing to score in double figures in every game thus far this season. Similarly, Jokic has maintained a streak of reaching at least 10 points in every game he has played.
A significant moment occurred with 1:52 remaining when the game was tied at 113. Dereck Lively II made crucial defensive plays, blocking layup attempts from both Jokic and Westbrook within a 30-second span.
In terms of shooting performance, Westbrook had entered the game with a career three-point shooting percentage of 30.4%. However, he excelled on the night, making 4 of his 6 attempts from beyond the arc, including all three shots in the fourth quarter, contributing significantly to his team’s efforts.
Looking ahead, the Mavericks will be traveling to face the Miami Heat on Sunday night, while the Nuggets are set to take on the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night.
