In a game that had all the makings of a late-December classic, the Denver Nuggets and Dallas Mavericks delivered a thriller that went down to the final possession. Both teams were on the second night of a back-to-back, but you wouldn’t have known it by the energy, execution, and star power on display.
Cooper Flagg, Nikola Jokic, and Jamal Murray all showed out in a game that was as entertaining as it was intense. When the dust settled, it was Dallas escaping with a 138-137 win after Denver’s final look-an open corner three-rattled in and out at the buzzer.
A Cold Start for Denver, a Hot One for Flagg
The Nuggets stumbled out of the gate offensively, managing just two points in the first four minutes. Dallas, meanwhile, came out sharp, moving the ball with purpose and finding high-percentage looks at the rim.
Cooper Flagg wasted no time making his presence felt, getting to his spots and finishing plays with confidence. By the five-minute mark, the Mavericks had built a 16-point lead, capitalizing on Denver’s sluggish start and lack of interior resistance.
Jamal Murray tried to steady the ship with a few early buckets, but Dallas kept applying pressure. Tim Hardaway Jr. came off the bench and knocked down a couple of timely shots, but it was Flagg again who closed the quarter strong-sparking an 8-0 run that pushed the Mavs’ lead to 41-27 after one.
Second-Unit Shuffle and Flagg’s Continued Impact
Flagg picked up right where he left off in the second quarter. He dropped off a slick alley-oop to Daniel Gafford, then buried a three that forced Nuggets assistant coach David Adelman to call timeout.
Denver’s bench group struggled to generate consistent offense, though Hardaway’s shooting continued to be a lifeline. Adelman experimented with some new wing combinations, including a rare appearance from Curtis Jones alongside Julian Strawther.
That group showed some promise, trimming the lead to 12 before running out of steam.
The starters returned late in the half, and Murray kept Denver within striking distance. He was aggressive, decisive, and efficient, helping cut the deficit to single digits. But once again, Flagg had the final word-draining a three just before halftime to stretch Dallas’ lead back to 10, 66-56.
Jokic Takes Over, But Dallas Answers
The third quarter opened with a vintage Jokic stretch. He orchestrated a 7-0 run with his usual blend of poise and precision, including a no-look dime to Cameron Johnson that tied the game at 76.
But just as quickly as Denver clawed back, they gave it away. A string of sloppy possessions led to a Dallas surge-four straight buckets at the rim turned into a 15-0 Mavericks run.
Hardaway once again stopped the bleeding with a three, then hit two more in quick succession. But Denver’s defense couldn’t get stops, and the momentum remained with Dallas.
Still, the Nuggets closed the quarter with a spark. Jokic threaded a bounce pass through traffic to Bruce Brown for a layup that tied the game at 103 heading into the fourth.
Injuries, Grit, and a Gut-Punch Ending
Denver’s bench opened the fourth with solid minutes, briefly taking the lead. But the night took a turn when Cameron Johnson went down, grabbing his knee after a rebound battle. He stayed down for several minutes before walking off under his own power, but the limp was noticeable-and the emotional impact on the Nuggets was immediate.
Dallas took advantage, regaining a slim lead as the game tightened. Flagg continued to deliver in big moments, hitting clutch shots and keeping the Mavericks just out of reach. Denver kept swinging, and with 30 seconds left, Jokic dropped in a soft floater to cut the deficit to one.
Then came the sequence that will stick with Denver fans. A shot clock violation by Dallas gave the Nuggets one last chance.
Jokic, ever the unselfish star, made the right read-kicking it out to Peyton Watson for a clean look from the corner. The shot looked good, halfway down before cruelly popping out.
Ballgame.
Final Thoughts
This was one of those games where both teams left it all on the floor. Jokic was masterful, Murray was relentless, and Hardaway’s shooting kept Denver alive.
But Cooper Flagg stole the spotlight with a performance that showed why he’s already commanding attention across the league. The Mavericks got the win, but both teams showed they’re built for the long haul-and if this is a preview of a potential playoff matchup, sign us all the way up.