The Denver Nuggets wrapped up their four-game road trip with a gritty 116-111 win over the Houston Rockets on Sunday night. The trip wasn’t easy, especially without their star center, Nikola Jokic.
Before Sunday night’s game, the Rockets were riding a nine-game winning streak, making them a red-hot opponent for the Nuggets. Initially, without Nikola Jokic, it seemed impossible to win. However, thanks to Jamal Murray’s 39 points, they ended their road trip on a positive note.
The Nuggets came into the game on a two-game losing streak, struggling to find their rhythm without star center Nikola Jokic. But Jamal Murray stepped up big time. His explosive performance, backed by key contributions from Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr., helped the Nuggets snap the Rockets’ nine-game winning streak.
Murray wasn’t just a supporting player this time. He dropped 39 points, taking control when the Nuggets needed it most. In the third quarter, he went on a hot streak that changed the game. With 6:30 left, he hit a smooth 20-footer to put the Nuggets up 71-66. That shot sparked a three-minute burst where he scored 12 straight points without missing.
In the end, he shot an impressive 15-of-28 from the field, dished out seven assists, and had just one turnover—proving he could carry the offense without Jokic.
Jamal Murray tonight:
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) March 24, 2025
39 Points
7 Assists
4 Rebounds
53% FG
No Jokic – No Problem. 🔥 (via @realapp_) pic.twitter.com/FZtn3UNyGM
But it wasn’t just Murray’s night but also the team effort, as the head coach, Michael Malone, said. DeAndre Jordan exceeded expectations with a double-double, scoring 11 points and grabbing 15 rebounds, bringing much-needed stability in the paint.
Plus, Aaron Gordon, Michael Porter Jr., and even Russell Westbrook also made some key contributions, all adding up to a hard-fought win for the Nuggets over the Rockets.
Nikola Jokic’s latest health update
With the recent win against the Houston Rockets, Nikola Jokic marked his fourth consecutive absence during the road trip. However, his absence may not last much longer, as Jokic is expected to return tomorrow at Ball Arena, though it remains uncertain whether he will play.
Coach Malone said he doesn’t think Nikola Jokić will play tomorrow in Denver either, but he said Jokić will play at some point during the upcoming 5-game home stand.
— Katy Winge (@katywinge) March 23, 2025
Mentioned the Nuggets want to get their starting lineup time together before the playoffs.
Coach Malone stated, “He’s going to play in Denver, the five-game homestand. He’ll play at some point, hopefully in that five-game homestand. I don’t think he’ll play tomorrow. We’re just trying to get home and kind of see where he’s at.”
