Denver Beats Houston 112-109 as Jokic and Murray Shine

The Denver Nuggets earned an important victory on Friday night by defeating the Houston Rockets 112-109 in a tight NBA Cup match. The game was played in Houston, where the Rockets came in on a strong five-game winning streak. But Denver’s star duo, Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, stepped up with powerful performances to help their team secure the win.

Jokic once again showed why he is one of the most dominant players in the league. He finished the game with 34 points and 10 rebounds, recording another confident double-double. Murray also made a big impact by scoring 26 points and delivering 10 assists, giving Denver the energy and balance they needed throughout the match. Both players were essential in breaking Houston’s momentum and turning the game in Denver’s favour.

The Nuggets started the game strong, especially on the defensive end. Houston struggled early and shot just 6-for-24 from the field in the first quarter. Denver moved ahead 25-12 after 12 minutes, taking advantage of Houston’s turnovers and missed shots. The Nuggets also dominated the offensive rebounds, which helped them build a steady lead.

However, the Rockets found life in the second quarter thanks to Reed Sheppard, who came off the bench and changed the game’s rhythm. Sheppard scored 18 points in the quarter alone, hitting several key shots and assisting on important plays. His energy helped Houston erase the deficit and even take a 49-46 lead at halftime. During this period, Houston Rockets fans were full of excitement as their team looked ready to extend their winning streak.

But Jokic refused to let that happen. In the third quarter, he showed complete control, scoring 18 points on nearly perfect shooting. His presence in the paint and his smooth shot-making helped Denver erase the halftime deficit and reclaim the lead. His strong quarter allowed the Nuggets to take a 12-point advantage at one point, putting pressure back on Houston.

Houston attempted another comeback late in the fourth quarter. With under three minutes left, the Rockets cut Denver’s lead to just 101-99. Jamal Murray responded with calm and confidence. He scored key baskets in the final minutes, including a short jumper and a driving layup that gave the Nuggets a small but important lead. His late-game play was crucial in keeping Denver ahead.

Jabari Smith Jr. kept Houston’s hope alive by hitting a big corner three-pointer with just 5.5 seconds left, making the score 111-109. But Jokic calmly sank two free throws with 2.7 seconds remaining, giving Denver just enough breathing room to secure the win. Houston attempted a last second miracle shot from 43 feet away, but it missed the target.

Smith finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds for Houston. Sheppard, who gave Houston a big push earlier, ended the night with 27 points. But the Rockets struggled overall, especially with Kevin Durant scoring only 13 points on a tough shooting night. Alperen Sengun also had an off game with several missed shots and turnovers.

For Denver, bench players Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown added valuable support, combining for 22 points. With the win, the Nuggets improved to 2-1 in West Group C of the NBA Cup, while the NBA Cup loss dropped the Rockets to 1-2.

This match showed the importance of experience and teamwork. Denver stayed calm under pressure and leaned on their superstar pairing, while Houston fought hard but couldn’t convert enough key plays. With this win, Denver keeps their hopes alive in the group stage and sends a strong message about their championship-level consistency.