NBA: Jamal Murray explodes for 53 as Nuggets hold off Mavericks

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray exploded for a season-high 53 points, 33 of which came in the first half, to lead the host Nuggets past the Dallas Mavericks 142-135 on Wednesday night.

Nikola Jokic recorded 23 points, 21 rebounds, and 19 assists, marking his third straight triple-double. Jokic also notched his 6,000th career assist on Murray’s layup midway through the second quarter, becoming the first center in NBA history to reach that milestone.

Peyton Watson added 21 points, while Cam Johnson contributed 12 for Denver (46-28), which extended its winning streak to four games.

For Dallas (23-50), Cooper Flagg led the way with 26 points, Naji Marshall had 22, P.J. Washington recorded a double-double with 19 points and 15 rebounds, and Brandon Williams and Khris Middleton added 11 points each. The Mavericks have now dropped five straight games and 24 of their last 28.

Both teams were affected by injuries. Dallas was without Daniel Gafford (right shoulder strain) and Caleb Martin (right plantar fascia strain). Denver rested Aaron Gordon after he played 26 minutes in Tuesday’s late game at Phoenix. Watson returned to the lineup after missing 19 games with a strained right hamstring, sitting out Tuesday’s game.

Denver seemed in control when Murray’s three-point play gave them a 127-116 lead midway through the fourth quarter. Dallas responded with a 10-0 run to narrow the gap to one point, but Christian Braun, Jokic, Watson, and Murray combined to push the Nuggets’ lead to 138-128 with 1:42 remaining.

The Nuggets led by nine at halftime and 70-59 early in the third quarter before Dallas cut it to five on Marshall’s three-point play. Jokic secured his triple-double with a floater and soon assisted Braun for an alley-oop on a three-point play that gave Denver an 80-71 advantage.

A trio of Dallas three-point plays brought the Mavericks within 93-92 late in the third, but Jokic sparked an 18-6 run that helped Denver take a 111-98 lead into the fourth quarter, ultimately sealing the victory.

-Field Level Media/Reuters