Jamal Murray showcased his scoring prowess in the fourth quarter, contributing 12 of his 26 points to fuel the Denver Nuggets’ remarkable comeback from a 21-point deficit in the third quarter, ultimately securing a 125-119 victory over the depleted Toronto Raptors on Monday night.
Murray’s offensive outburst was complemented by Nikola Jokić’s stellar performance, marking his 21st triple-double of the season with an impressive start line of 35 points, 17 rebounds, and 12 assists. Denver’s win extends their impressive post-All-Star break record to 9-1.
Jokic’s defensive contributions were equally notable, registering a season-high six steals, four of which came in a pivotal third quarter where the Nuggets outscored the Raptors 42-30.
Reflecting on Jokic’s defensive prowess, Murray acknowledged his teammate’s ability to anticipate plays and disrupt passing lanes. He remarked, “It’s less about being in the spot, he’s playing the angle and the line of the pass. Shout out to Jok.”
The Raptors, missing key players due to injuries, provided opportunities for younger and less-utilized talents to step up. Among them was Jontay Porter, the younger brother of Michael Porter Jr., marking the first time the siblings shared the court in an NBA game. Michael Porter Jr. expressed his joy for his brother’s performance, describing it as a “special moment.”
Despite the Raptors’ commanding lead, Denver mounted a spirited comeback in the third quarter, narrowing the deficit to 98-93 heading into the final period. Toronto coach Darko Rajakovic acknowledged the Nuggets’ resurgent energy in the second half, emphasizing the importance of learning from such situations.
In a closely contested fourth quarter, the Nuggets surged ahead with a crucial eight-point run, securing the lead for good. Despite a late push from RJ Barrett and the Raptors, Michael Porter Jr.’s clutch 3-pointer with just over a minute remaining sealed the victory for Denver.
Coach Michael Malone lauded his team’s defensive intensity in the fourth quarter, emphasizing the importance of defensive effort in staging comebacks.
