Blazers Stun Denver Nuggets in Dramatic 109-107 Finish

But the Blazers had other plans.

Portland clawed back possession by possession, chipping away at that double-digit deficit with grit and determination. The fourth quarter surge was a collective effort—Deni Avdija attacked the rim with confidence, Shaedon Sharpe provided explosive scoring bursts, and the defense tightened up when it mattered most.

With 27.7 seconds left, Grant tied the game at 107 with a pair of clutch free throws. The tension in the arena was palpable. This was playoff-level intensity in a November game, and both teams felt it.

Jokic Misses Historic Triple-Double by One Assist

Nikola Jokic was magnificent yet again, posting 21 points, 14 rebounds, and nine assists. Nine. One assist shy of his fifth consecutive triple-double to open the season—a feat only Oscar Robertson in 1961-62 and Russell Westbrook in 2020-21 have accomplished.

The basketball gods can be cruel sometimes. Jokic orchestrated Denver’s offense with his usual surgical precision, threading passes through tight windows and punishing mismatches in the post. But the final stat line will show what could have been—a near-miss at history that stings just a bit more because his team came up short.

With the game on the line and 1.4 seconds on the clock, Jokic took a 13-foot jumper that rimmed out as time expired. It was a clean look, the kind he makes in his sleep. Tonight, it didn’t fall.

Grant and the Supporting Cast Step Up

Jerami Grant finished with 16 points off the bench, but his impact went far beyond the box score. His two game-winning free throws were the culmination of a poised performance from a player who’s been through the wars and knows how to handle pressure.

Deni Avdija led all Blazers scorers with 23 points, showcasing the versatility and scoring punch that made him a coveted offseason addition. Shaedon Sharpe added 19 points and delivered what might have been the defensive play of the game—a block on Aaron Gordon’s jumper with seconds remaining that forced a shot clock violation and gave Portland one last chance.

That’s the beauty of team basketball. Grant hit the free throws, but Sharpe’s block created the opportunity. Avdija’s scoring kept them in striking distance. Every player had a fingerprint on this victory.

Murray Battles Through Injury

Jamal Murray was listed as questionable before tipoff with left calf soreness, but he gutted through 34 minutes and poured in 22 points. Early on, he looked like he’d have no issues, draining shots and pushing Denver to a quick 30-18 advantage.

But as the game wore on, you could sense Murray wasn’t quite himself. The explosive first step wasn’t there. The lift on his jumper looked slightly compromised. Still, he competed fiercely and gave the Denver Nuggets everything he had. That’s the mark of a winner—playing through discomfort when your team needs you.

What This Win Means for Portland

The Trail Blazers have now won three straight games, and this one might be the most meaningful. Beating a team like the Denver Nuggets, a squad with championship pedigree and the best player on the planet—sends a message. Portland isn’t just scrappy; they’re dangerous.

Sure, it’s early November. The NBA Cup is still finding its footing as a mid-season tournament. But momentum matters. Confidence matters. And nights like this, where you dig deep and find a way to win, build the kind of culture that sustains success.

For a young Blazers team trying to establish its identity, this game could be a turning point. They didn’t fold when they fell behind by ten in the fourth. They believed, they executed, and they got rewarded.

Denver’s Three-Game Win Streak Ends

The loss snapped the Denver Nuggets’ three-game winning streak and served as a reminder that even the best teams have to bring it every single night. The Western Conference is loaded, and dropping games to teams you’re supposed to beat will come back to haunt you in April.

The Denver Nuggets will be fine. They have Jokic. They have Murray. They have the pieces. But this one stings because it was winnable. They had the lead. They had the momentum. And they let it slip away in the final minutes.