Monday, Dec 16, 2024 10:50 PMUpdated Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024 12:18 AM
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, and Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis, right, battle for the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Jamal Murray made a go-ahead jumper with 8.6 seconds remaining and the Denver Nuggets rallied past the Sacramento Kings 130-129 on Monday night.
Nikola Jokic had his NBA-leading 10th triple-double with 20 points, 14 rebounds and 13 assists as the Nuggets ended Sacramento’s three-game winning streak. Murray scored 28 points, while Russell Westbrook had 18 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists.
Denver (14-10) trailed by 10 with four minutes remaining before storming back on the strength of a 14-3 spurt.
The teams exchanged leads seven times over the final 75 seconds, with Murray nailing the decisive shot about 12 seconds after DeMar DeRozan put the Kings (13-14) in front with a baseline dunk.
DeRozan missed inside in the final seconds, and the Nuggets held on.
Domantas Sabonis had 28 points, 14 rebounds and six assists for the Kings. De’Aaron Fox added 29 points and seven assists. Malik Monk scored 25.
Takeaways
Nuggets: Westbrook has been a critical player for Denver. The nine-time All-Star has spent most of the season coming off the bench, but has made several effective spot starts at multiple positions — as he did Monday when he filled in for injured Christian Braun.
Kings: Mike Brown’s squad showed good energy coming back to take the lead after beginning the game flat on both ends of the floor and falling behind 41-21 at the end of one quarter. Denver was the more physical team most of the night, although the Kings played significantly better in the second half.
Key moment
Aaron Gordon hit a 3-pointer with 1:49 left to bring the Nuggets within one. Michael Porter Jr. made a steal on the other end and Jokic scored off an assist from Westbrook to put Denver ahead 123-122 with 1:15 remaining before the game went back-and-forth the rest of the way.
Key stat
Denver scored 76 points in the paint, 33 more than Sacramento had been allowing this season.
Up next
Nuggets: Face the Trail Blazers in Portland on Thursday.
Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson (8) drives past Sacramento Kings Orlando Robinson, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)
Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone instructs from the bench during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (32) guards Sacramento Kings forward DeMar DeRozan (10) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, center, is guarded by Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (11) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. The Nuggets won 130-129. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)
Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook reacts during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. The Nuggets won 130-129. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, right, discusses an official's call with referee Marc Davis (8) during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) looks to shoot over Sacramento Kings guard De'Aaron Fox (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)
Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook, left, and Sacramento Kings guard Colby Jones chase the ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. The Nuggets won 130-129. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (32) is guarded by Sacramento Kings forward DeMar DeRozan, left, and Domantas Sabonis during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)
Sacramento Kings center Isaac Jones is greeted by Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. The Nuggets won 130-129. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)
Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (11) is guarded by Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. The Nuggets won 130-129. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)
Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk (0) is guarded by Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. The Nuggets won 130-129. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)
Sacramento Kings forward DeMar DeRozan (10) shoots over Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. The Nuggets won 130-129. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)
Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis, left, is guarded by Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. The Nuggets won 130-129. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)
Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk (0) drives to the basket past Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. The Nuggets won 130-129. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)
Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk (0) drives past Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. The Nuggets won 130-129. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)
Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk (0) drives past Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. The Nuggets won 130-129. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)
Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (11) shoots over Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, lefty, and Russell Westbrook during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. The Nuggets won 130-129. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)
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