Jamal Murray scored a season-high 53 points as the Denver Nuggets defeated the Dallas Mavericks 142-135 on Wednesday night. Nikola Jokic also had a big game, recording 23 points, 21 rebounds and a season-high 19 assists. The Nuggets won their fourth straight game.
For the Mavericks, rookie Cooper Flagg scored 26 points, and Naji Marshall added 22.
Jokic Hits 6,000 Career Assists
Jokic reached 6,000 career assists. He fed Murray for a layup with 4:56 left in the second quarter to reach the milestone. Murray had 33 points in the first half, going 11 of 16 from the field and scoring 14 straight points at one stage.
Nuggets Hold Off Mavericks Comeback
Dallas trimmed an 11-point lead to 127-126 with 4:20 left in the fourth. Brandon Williams missed two free throws with 3:58 left, giving Denver an opportunity to extend their lead. Jokic then hit an 8-foot floater, fed Peyton Watson for a corner 3-pointer, and Murray hit a 3-pointer and a 19-foot step-back jumper to make it 138-128.
Murray was 19 of 28 for the game and hit 9 of 14 3-pointers. His career high is 55 points.
Mavericks’ Struggles Continue
The Mavericks have now lost five in a row and 24 of 28 since late January.
Dallas cut a 13-point deficit to 93-92 late in the third, but Jokic scored six points and had three assists in the final 2:51 to give Denver a 111-100 lead heading into the fourth.
The Mavericks play the Trail Blazers on Friday night. The Nuggets host the Utah Jazz on Friday night.