Michael Malone had expressed concerns about a potential letdown from his superstar center Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets when they faced the short-handed Utah Jazz. However, those worries proved unfounded as Jokic played through a bruised right arm, and Jamal Murray’s stellar performance guided the Nuggets to a convincing 142-121 victory on Saturday night.
Jokic contributed 26 points, six rebounds, and eight assists, while Michael Porter Jr. chipped in 19 points for Denver, narrowing the gap to just half a game behind Western Conference leaders Oklahoma City, who were inactive on Saturday night.
The Nuggets, fresh off a significant victory against Boston, dominated from the outset, building a commanding 39-point lead in the first half. Despite a third-quarter rally from Utah, cutting the deficit to 14 points, the Jazz could not fully close the gap.
Reflecting on the game, Malone expressed mixed emotions, stating, “That was embarrassing,” while also acknowledging his team’s strong start, “I was proud of our approach to start the game… Unfortunately, coming out of the half, we did not do anything remotely close to what we did in the first half to get that lead.”
Denver’s impressive performance included exceptional shooting from beyond the arc, making 14 of 20 long-range shots before halftime and finishing 19 of 32 overall, with Murray leading the charge with six 3-pointers.
Despite Malone’s concerns about potential complacency, Murray emphasized the team’s commitment to maintaining high standards, stating, “We have not cared who we’re playing; we’ve cared about playing up to our standards.”
The Nuggets’ resilience was evident as they weathered Utah’s third-quarter surge and ultimately secured their eighth win in nine games since the All-Star break. Murray highlighted their consistency throughout the game, emphasizing their ability to overcome challenges and maintain focus.
Denver’s dominant performance against Utah showcased their determination and ability to perform at a high level, reinforcing their status as contenders in the Western Conference.
