The Denver Nuggets pulled off an incredible 112-101 comeback victory against the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday, erasing a daunting 19-point deficit late in the third quarter. Powered by Russell Westbrook’s dynamic performance and Nikola Jokic’s near triple-double, Denver showcased why they’re serious contenders this season.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks continued to struggle without Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, dropping to 2-5 in their absence. Here’s how the Nuggets flipped the script in Dallas.
Fourth-Quarter Domination
Denver’s comeback was nothing short of spectacular. Trailing by 12 points at the start of the fourth quarter, the Nuggets went on an emphatic 33-12 run to seal the game. Their transformation was driven by:
- Improved shooting: After a dismal 4-for-25 performance from three-point range through three quarters, the Nuggets hit 3-of-7 threes in the final period.
- Lockdown defense: The Mavericks went ice-cold, missing all 11 three-point attempts in the fourth.
Westbrook’s fearless drives and Jokic’s impeccable playmaking spearheaded the Nuggets’ surge. Westbrook ended the game with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists, while Jokic added 19 points, 18 rebounds, and nine assists, narrowly missing yet another triple-double.
Key Moment: Jokic’s Finger Roll
With just over four minutes left and the game still in the balance, Jokic delivered a signature play. Against Mavericks’ center Dereck Lively II, who was in foul trouble, Jokic spun inside and executed a flawless finger-roll basket, giving Denver a 99-96 lead. It was the turning point that shifted momentum firmly in favor of the Nuggets.
Mavericks Fall Short Without Luka and Kyrie
The Mavericks desperately missed the offensive firepower of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, who were sidelined with injuries. Despite a valiant effort from Klay Thompson, who scored 25 points, Dallas couldn’t sustain their early momentum.
Thompson struggled in crunch time, going scoreless in the fourth quarter, while the team’s reliance on long-range shooting backfired spectacularly. The Mavericks ended the night 0-for-11 from beyond the arc in the final period.
Takeaways
For the Nuggets:
- Paint Domination: Denver outscored Dallas 68-40 in the paint, highlighting their physicality and ability to exploit mismatches.
- Depth on Display: Aaron Gordon returned from injury, contributing 13 points and six rebounds in limited minutes, while the team rallied around their stars.
- Record Check: The Nuggets are now 12-3 when Jokic and Westbrook share the floor, cementing their chemistry and effectiveness as a duo.
For the Mavericks:
- Depth Woes: With both Doncic and Irving unavailable, the Mavericks lacked a reliable secondary scorer to close out the game.
- Shooting Struggles: Their 21.9% three-point shooting (7-of-32) was a glaring weakness, particularly in clutch moments.
- Tough Stretch Ahead: The loss marked Dallas’ fifth straight defeat, pushing them further away from playoff contention.
Key Stats
- Nuggets’ Points in the Paint: 68
- Mavericks’ Missed 3-Pointers in Fourth Quarter: 11
- Denver’s Fourth-Quarter Points: 33
FAQs
Westbrook scored 21 points, along with 10 rebounds and seven assists.
The turning point was Nikola Jokic’s finger-roll basket with 4:28 remaining, which gave Denver a lead they never relinquished.
Doncic is nursing a calf strain, while Irving is sidelined with a bulging disk in his back.
The Mavericks will look to snap their losing streak in their next game, while the Nuggets aim to build on their momentum.
Conclusion
The Mavericks vs Nuggets showdown was a tale of two halves, with Denver overcoming a slow start to dominate the fourth quarter. With Jokic and Westbrook leading the charge, the Nuggets proved they’re a force to be reckoned with.
For Dallas, the absence of Doncic and Irving was glaring, and their five-game skid raises questions about their depth and resilience. As the season progresses, both teams have plenty to prove—but for now, Denver is riding high on a wave of confidence.
Let’s see if they can keep the momentum going!
