The Denver Nuggets secured a dominant 135-122 win over the Miami Heat on Friday night, thanks to a stellar performance from Nikola Jokic, who notched his third consecutive triple-double. Jokic’s stat line of 30 points, 14 assists, and 11 rebounds was his NBA-best fifth triple-double of the season, underscoring his role as a playmaker and powerhouse on the court.
The Nuggets also saw the return of Jamal Murray, who had been sidelined for three games due to concussion protocol. Murray came back in style, scoring 28 points and making Nuggets franchise history as the first player to reach 1,000 career three-pointers. His sharp shooting was essential to Denver’s offensive surge.
For Miami, the night took an unfortunate turn when star Jimmy Butler left the game just seven minutes in due to an ankle injury sustained on a drive against Murray. Butler’s absence left a significant void for the Heat, who are already struggling, with this loss marking their fourth defeat in five games. Tyler Herro stepped up in Butler’s absence, delivering a team-high 24 points and adding 11 assists, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Denver’s firepower.
The Nuggets exploded out of the gate with a 17-6 run in the first 4:10, eventually racking up 40 points in the first quarter on an impressive 14-of-20 shooting. Denver’s early intensity set the tone for the game and allowed the Nuggets to hold off any attempted comeback by the Heat. Although Miami managed to close the gap to seven points in the final minutes, it never led and trailed by as many as 26 points in the second half.
Denver kept Miami on its heels throughout, holding an 11-point lead at halftime and extending it to 22 points after outscoring the Heat 15-4 in the opening three minutes of the third quarter.
Miami’s loss is compounded by concerns over Jimmy Butler’s ankle injury, which left the team shorthanded. Butler has been the Heat’s second-leading scorer this season, averaging 18.1 points per game. As the Heat continue a six-game road trip, his availability will be crucial to the team’s ability to bounce back.
With this victory, Denver continues a strong stretch, now having won six of its last seven games. Despite lingering questions about the bench’s effectiveness, the starting lineup’s performance has been instrumental in turning the Nuggets’ season around after an 0-2 start.
The Nuggets’ third-quarter surge proved to be a pivotal stretch. Their 15-4 run to start the second half, pushing the lead to 86-64, gave Denver a comfortable cushion that Miami couldn’t overcome.
Russell Westbrook dished out a season-high 10 assists for Denver, marking only the second time in his past 44 games that he has reached double-digit assists. Westbrook’s playmaking has been a valuable addition to the Nuggets’ attack.
The Nuggets will look to continue their winning streak when they host the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday. The Heat, meanwhile, will travel to face the Minnesota Timberwolves, aiming to end their road struggles. The spotlight will be on Butler’s health and how Miami adjusts without him if he remains sidelined.
