DENVER (Headline) — Nikola Jokic contributed significantly with 22 points and 14 rebounds, while Russell Westbrook added 25 points as the Denver Nuggets secured a come-from-behind victory against the Sacramento Kings, edging them out 116-110 on Wednesday night.
Jamal Murray also played a crucial role by scoring 24 points for Denver, which saw its third consecutive victory over Sacramento this season.
DeMar DeRozan was impressive for the Kings, especially in the third quarter where he managed to score 18 out of his total 35 points, helping Sacramento establish a 93-84 advantage as they moved into the final quarter. However, Westbrook surged for Denver, scoring seven consecutive points to kickstart the comeback.
A pivotal moment came when Zeke Nnaji drained a 3-pointer from the top of the arc, pushing Denver ahead 96-95, marking the first time they led since the initial quarter. As the game drew to a close, Zach LaVine demonstrated his shooting prowess, making two long-range 3-pointers and scoring 12 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter, keeping the Kings within reach.
Westbrook countered with another 3-pointer as Murray and Jokic effectively sealed the game from the free-throw line.
Key Insights:
– Kings: They received a notable contribution from Jake LaRivia, who has recently joined from Memphis. He scored a personal best of 15 points since the transition, making an immediate impact by contributing 11 points in just over four minutes of the first quarter. Unfortunately, LaRivia remained scoreless in the second half.
– Nuggets: Facing injury issues, Aaron Gordon missed his third consecutive game due to an ankle sprain. However, Peyton Watson marked his return after sitting out 13 games with a knee injury and played for 17 minutes, scoring two points.
Crucial Moment:
The Nuggets showcased an unusual feat by outscoring the Kings 12-2 early in the fourth quarter, even with star player Jokic resting on the bench, which is typically a challenging phase for them.
Statistical Highlight:
Murray was repeatedly fouled on 3-point attempts, successfully converting all nine free throws. He performed exceptionally well from the line, achieving 14 out of 15 tries, a performance that surpassed the entire Sacramento team in free-throw attempts and conversions.
Upcoming Games:
– The Kings are set to face the San Antonio Spurs at home on Friday night.
– The Nuggets will conclude their brief two-game homestand with a matchup against the Phoenix Suns on Friday night.
