Jamal Murray and Tim Hardaway Jr. provided the late-game boost for the Denver Nuggets, but the elation was short-lived. After a thrilling Broncos win, fans made the short trek to Ball Arena, only to find a less-than-anticipated Nuggets game against the Wizards. The Wizards, with the NBA's worst net rating and second-worst record in the Eastern Conference, entered the game with low expectations.
Nuggets guard Jamal Murray admitted that the initial enthusiasm for the game was dampened by the Broncos' victory, with fans still buzzing. The news of Bo Nix's injury didn't help either, as the Nuggets had to come from behind to secure a 121-115 win. Coach David Adelman, a Bills fan, expressed disappointment in his team's performance and the officiating, but he was happy for the city's 2-0 day in Denver.
Aaron Gordon, taking a break from his pregame routine, watched Wil Lutz's game-winning field goal on the jumbotron. He then took center stage, hitting a go-ahead 3-pointer and a reverse dunk off an alley-oop, putting the Nuggets ahead by seven with 36 seconds left. Bruce Brown's floater in the first two minutes of the fourth quarter was the only other scoring by Nuggets players other than Murray and Hardaway in the final quarter.
Murray scored 16 of his 42 points in the fourth quarter, while Hardaway contributed 15 of his 30 points in the final 12 minutes. These performances brought a smile to Denver fans, who had been feeling the post-Broncos game buzz.
Hardaway acknowledged the lack of energy in the building, attributing it to the Broncos' win. He and his teammates tried to find their own spark, with Hardaway stepping up as the 'sparkplug' off the bench. Peyton Watson was the only other Nugget to score in double figures with 21 points, while Kyshawn George led the Wizards with 29 points.
Despite the initial enthusiasm dip, the Nuggets found their rhythm in the fourth quarter, rallying from a three-point deficit to secure a win. Adelman praised his team's ability to galvanize themselves and win a game that could have been lost. The final score: NUGGETS 121, WIZARDS 115.
Key takeaways: Aaron Gordon's 11 assists and 10 rebounds, despite missing a triple-double by two points, showcased his all-around impact. The Wizards' struggle with offensive rebounds (17) and second-chance points (27-4) highlighted their defensive weaknesses. Tim Hardaway Jr.'s driving left-handed dunk in the final four minutes set a new season-high and showcased his scoring prowess.
The Nuggets' next challenge awaits at Ball Arena, where they will host the Hornets on Sunday.
