Nuggets Outlast MPJ’s 38-Point Return as Short-Handed Squad Grinds Out Win Over Nets
Michael Porter Jr. came back to Denver with a familiar jumper and a point to prove. Already having played spoiler once this season, Porter nearly did it again-dropping 38 points and keeping the Nuggets on their heels all night. But in a game that swung wildly from smooth to scrappy, Denver found just enough in the tank to hold off the Nets down the stretch, pulling out a much-needed win with a depleted roster and a whole lot of grit.
Short-Handed and Under Pressure
Before tipoff, the Nuggets got hit with another tough blow-Aaron Gordon is expected to miss 4-6 more weeks after aggravating the same hamstring that’s plagued him for two seasons. With Nikola Jokic, Reggie Jackson, and Christian Braun still sidelined, Denver entered the night thin on both size and experience. But that didn’t stop them from digging deep.
The Nets, also dealing with their own injury issues, came into the night as a rebuilding team with nothing to lose-and that’s always dangerous. Especially when a former Nugget like MPJ is locked in from the jump.
First Quarter: MPJ Sets the Tone, Nuggets Respond
Porter wasted no time reminding Denver fans what he can do, scoring the game’s first five points. Jamal Murray answered with five of his own, setting the stage for a back-and-forth duel between two of the smoothest scorers on the floor.
Tim Hardaway Jr. and Peyton Watson added some firepower of their own, and after a flurry of threes and second-chance buckets, Denver held a slim 29-25 lead at the end of one. THJ’s hot hand was already evident-he had 11 in the quarter and looked ready to shoulder a bigger load.
Second Quarter: Nuggets Surge Behind Bench Boost
Brooklyn briefly took the lead early in the second after a Day’Ron Sharpe hook and a Jalen Wilson triple, but Denver’s bench was ready. Hardaway Jr. stayed hot, Bruce Brown slashed through the lane, and Vlatko Čančar chipped in with some timely inside work. Then came a quick 13-2 run, capped by THJ’s fifth three-pointer, that gave the Nuggets a double-digit cushion.
Julian Strawther joined the party with a corner three, and even as MPJ kept pouring in tough buckets-he had 20 by halftime-Denver’s depth pushed the lead to 17. By the time the buzzer sounded, the Nuggets were up 64-49 and looking like they might cruise.
Third Quarter: MPJ Catches Fire, Nets Rally
But this one was far from over.
The Nets came out of the locker room with a spark, and Porter picked up right where he left off-five quick points, including his fifth three, cut the lead in half in just three minutes. The Nuggets’ offense, meanwhile, hit a wall. A 16-4 Nets run forced acting head coach David Adelman to burn a timeout, and even then, Denver’s rhythm didn’t return right away.
Murray finally ended the drought with a driving dunk, but the Nets tied it up shortly after, and the momentum had clearly shifted. A Jalen Wilson three and a transition dunk off a turnover erased the lead entirely.
THJ and MPJ traded threes-both hitting their sixth-and Watson gave the Nuggets a late spark with a pair of buckets and a block. A Strawther steal and buzzer-beater gave Denver a 79-76 edge heading into the final frame.
Fourth Quarter: Clutch Time Belongs to Denver
Bruce Brown opened the fourth with a three and a trip to the line, and the Nuggets looked ready to reassert control. But Brooklyn wouldn’t go away. Porter and Hardaway Jr. continued their three-point shootout-each finishing with seven makes from deep-and after a Traore jumper and MPJ steal-and-score, the game was tied at 90 with six minutes left.
The Nets briefly took a two-point lead, their first since the second quarter, but Watson answered with a strong take and found Hunter Tyson Jones for a corner three that just missed. After another Nets putback, Denver called timeout down 94-92.
Enter Jonas Valančiūnas.
The big man checked back in and immediately went to work, converting an and-one in the paint. Murray followed with a floater, and after MPJ missed back-to-back threes, Jamal attacked again, finishing through contact for his 25th point.
Porter responded with two free throws, bringing him to 38-just one shy of his career high-but Murray answered right back with a strong finish to push the lead to six. Claxton scored, but MPJ fouled Murray on the next possession, and Mal calmly knocked down both.
With the clock winding down, Porter launched a deep three in search of a new career high, but it rimmed out. Wolf got the putback, but it wasn’t enough. Watson split a pair at the line, then fouled Mann on a three-point attempt-he made all three, cutting the lead to just two with four seconds left.
But on the final inbounds play, the Nuggets got the ball to Valančiūnas, and the veteran center sealed the deal at the line, knocking down two cold-blooded free throws in the Pressure Cooker™ to ice the game.
Final Takeaways: Nuggets Grit Out a Gut-Check Win
This was the kind of win that doesn’t look pretty on the stat sheet, but matters a whole lot in the standings. With Jokic, Gordon, and others still out, Denver leaned on its veterans and role players to get it done. And they did-just barely.
Michael Porter Jr. was sensational in his return, finishing with 38 points on 13-of-28 shooting, 10 rebounds, and a +12 in 38 minutes. He nearly played the villain in his old home, and if not for a couple missed threes late, he might’ve walked out with a win.
Jamal Murray continued his all-around brilliance, finishing with 27 points and 6 assists. His ability to control the tempo and make plays late was the difference. Tim Hardaway Jr. added 25 points, including seven threes, and Peyton Watson chipped in 19 points, 2 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks-a quietly impactful performance on both ends.
Denver needed this one. With the Clippers-winners of 9 of their last 10-coming to town tomorrow, the Nuggets couldn’t afford to drop a home game to a rebuilding team. They didn’t.
And that’s the mark of a team with championship DNA-even when they’re not at full strength, they still find a way.