Dec 15, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets middle Jonas Valanciunas (17) shoots over Houston Rockets guard Aaron Vacation (0) within the second quarter at Ball Area. Necessary Credit score: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Pictures Jamal Murray scored six of his 35 factors in time beyond regulation, Nikola Jokic produced 39 factors, 15 rebounds and 10 assists earlier than fouling out, and the host Denver Nuggets beat the Houston Rockets 128-125 on Monday evening.
Tim Hardaway Jr. and Cameron Johnson scored 13 apiece and Spencer Jones contributed 11, together with a 3-pointer in time beyond regulation to assist Denver finish its four-game dwelling dropping streak.
The Nuggets, who’ve gained 5 in a row total, noticed Peyton Watson go away for good within the first quarter as a consequence of a proper trunk damage.
Alperen Sengun completed with 33 factors, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, Kevn Duran added 25 factors and 5 blocks, Amen Thompson had 14 factors and 12 rebounds, and Jabari Smith Jr. logged 16 factors and 10 boards for Houston. Josh Okogie scored 16 whereas Reed Sheppard completed with 14 for the Rockets, who’ve misplaced two of their previous three video games.
The Nuggets scored the primary seven factors of time beyond regulation earlier than Houston hit two straight buckets to make it 124-121 with 2:02 left. Jokic sank two free throws with 1:40 remaining however fouled Sheppard to finish his evening.
Sheppard cut up the free throws earlier than Murray made two on the different finish with 47.2 seconds left for a six-point lead. Sengun transformed a three-point play with 37.7 seconds left.
Murray missed on the different finish, however Sengun was off track on a 3-point try to finish the sport.
Denver led 109-104 with 2:45 left in regulation, however the Rockets rallied to tie it. Murray cut up a pair of free throws with 18.1 seconds left to place the Nuggets on prime, however Sengun’s hook shot with 2.3 seconds left put the Rockets forward 117-116.
Thompson fouled Hardaway earlier than the following inbounds play, and Murray’s free throw despatched it to time beyond regulation.
The Nuggets trailed by 9 early within the second quarter however ended the half on a 17-6 run to guide 58-51 at intermission.
Houston rallied within the third, and a flagrant-1 foul on Bruce Brown began a run of eight straight factors, leading to a 79-75 Rockets lead. Jokic hit a 3-pointer and fed Johnson for a deep bucket that started a Denver surge, and the Nuggets have been up 89-86 heading into the fourth.
–Area Stage Media
