Michael Porter Jr. led the Denver Nuggets with 22 points in a 102-95 win over the Charlotte Hornets, with two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic contributing 18 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists. The game’s highlight was Denver’s defensive prowess in the third quarter, preventing Charlotte from scoring a field goal for over 11 minutes.
Jamal Murray also played a key role for Denver, scoring 20 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. The Nuggets’ impressive defense resulted in a remarkable 25-1 run to start the second half, outscoring the Hornets 30-9 in the third quarter. Charlotte’s field goal drought ended with a layup by Miles Bridges, who led the Hornets with 22 points.
“It was a great quarter,” Murray said. “That’s one we can look back on, and if we ever had a bad quarter we can compare it to that one, because that’s where we want to be.”
Nuggets coach Michael Malone praised the team’s defensive effort, while Murray acknowledged the significance of their performance in the third quarter. On the other hand, Hornets coach Steve Clifford lamented his team’s lack of ball movement and reliance on isolation plays.
“That’s one of the more impressive runs that I can remember in my nine years in Denver,” Malone said. “We chart kills, and you get a kill if you get three stops in a row. To get 17 straight stops is incredible. … That changed the game obviously. We came out as the aggressor and got stops.”
The Hornets, struggling with injuries, were without Terry Rozier and lost Brandon Miller to an ankle injury during the game. Rookie Nick Smith Jr. stepped up despite the setbacks, scoring a career-high 19 points, including five 3-pointers.
“I just wanted to keep my rhythm and just keep taking the open ones,” Smith said. “Just having movement on offense, that’s my biggest thing. My teammates found me and I was able to knock down some shots.”
Denver seized control in the second half, led by Jokic, Murray, and Aaron Gordon. The Hornets, however, narrowed the gap to three points late in the game, fueled by Smith’s long-range shooting. Jokic, playing with five fouls, secured the Nuggets’ lead with crucial plays in the final minutes.
The Nuggets are set to face the Golden State Warriors next during the NBA’s five-game Christmas Day slate, while the Hornets will take on the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday.
More must-reads: