Denver built a 19-point first-quarter cushion, then held off New Orleans’ push to secure a 104-91 road win.
Denver seized control with a 37-18 first quarter and went on to beat the Pelicans 104-91. New Orleans won the second quarter 27-20 and the third 28-22, but Denver closed with a 25-18 fourth to protect its lead. Nikola Jokic finished with 21 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists, one steal, no blocks and seven turnovers, shooting 8-for-13 from the field and 5-for-5 at the line. Jamal Murray added 23 points, one rebound, six assists, no steals, two blocks and one turnover on 9-for-19 shooting, including 5-for-11 from three; Aaron Gordon had 15 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, one steal, no blocks and no turnovers, going 3-for-10 from the field and 2-for-6 from deep. Christian Braun scored 15 with four assists, three steals and one block, shooting 6-for-13 overall and 3-for-8 from three, while Trevon Brazile supplied 11 points and eight rebounds on 5-for-9 shooting, plus one steal, one block and one turnover. Zion Williamson led New Orleans with 25 points, five rebounds, two assists and three steals, shooting 10-for-14; Dejounte Murray added 10 points, eight rebounds and five assists on 4-for-11 shooting, with one steal and two turnovers. Jeremiah Fears had 11 points on 5-for-14 shooting, Derik Queen posted 11 points and 12 rebounds on 3-for-6 shooting, and Saddiq Bey scored nine on 3-for-10 shooting, but Denver’s early burst and fourth-quarter response settled the result.
Key Performers
Nikola Jokic, DEN: 21 PTS, 13 REB, 10 AST; 8-13 FG Jamal Murray, DEN: 23 PTS, 6 AST, 2 BLK; 9-19 FG, 5-11 3PT Zion Williamson, NOP: 25 PTS, 5 REB, 3 STL; 10-14 FG
Standings Impact
Denver moves to 2-2, while New Orleans falls to 0-4. The Nuggets entered the game ranked 22nd in the power index; the Pelicans were 24th.
DYMA Insight
New Orleans outscored Denver across the second and third quarters, but the 19-point opening-quarter gap proved decisive. The Nuggets’ 25-18 edge in the fourth stopped the comeback from becoming a threat to the result.