The Denver Nuggets have looked every bit like a legitimate threat to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the West, powered by Nikola Jokic’s continued MVP-level dominance. But even a historic performance from him wasn’t enough on Monday night, as Denver fell 131–121 to the Dallas Mavericks, squandering a prime opportunity to pull even with the Lakers for the conference’s No. 2 seed.

Nikola Jokic Creates NBA History In Nuggets-Mavericks Game

Jokic, a three-time MVP, has once again commanded games at an MVP level this season, averaging more than 29 points per contest. His workload appears lighter than in recent years, thanks to a deeper, more veteran bench, allowing him to stay fresher while still dominating in his minutes.

That trend continued Monday night, as Jokic erupted for 29 points, 20 rebounds, 13 assists, one steal, and two blocks. But despite the historic stat line, Denver squandered an early 17-point lead. Eventually, he fell into a double-digit hole down the stretch, further made worse by Jamal Murray’s early exit due to a right ankle sprain.

Jokic played through a wrist sprain for 37 minutes, shooting 10-of-24 from the floor, and became the first player to reach those numbers in a loss since Maurice Stokes in 1957, via Statmuse.

Jokic vs Dallas:

29 PTS
20 REB
13 AST

The first player since Maurice Stokes in 1957 to record those numbers in a loss. pic.twitter.com/uVg1BINT93

— StatMuse (@statmuse) December 2, 2025

The night also featured another remarkable feat: Jokic became the only player since 1996–97 to record 15+ points, 9+ rebounds, and 6+ assists in a single quarter, which he accomplished in the first.

And understandably so, Jokic was disappointed with the result of the game.

“It doesn’t feel good to lose in front of our crowd and I think all of the games were winnable for us,” he said postgame. “We were in all four of the games, but we just didn’t execute. We didn’t play our best basketball.”

Nikola Jokić on losing 4 straight in Ball Arena:

“It doesn’t feel good to lose in front of our crowd and I think all of the games were winnable for us.

We were in all four of the games, but we just didn’t execute.

We didn’t play our best basketball.”

Full presser 👇 pic.twitter.com/pgpJaKYznc

— DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) December 2, 2025

Outside of Jokic’s brilliance and 28 points from Spencer Jones, Denver’s supporting cast failed to deliver. Meanwhile, the Mavericks lit up the perimeter, drilling 16 of their 31 attempts from beyond the arc. Anthony Davis led Dallas with 32 points, Ryan Nembhard added 28 points and 10 assists, and No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg chipped in 24.

The loss drops the Nuggets to 14–6, placing them fourth in the Western Conference. A win would have pulled them level with the Lakers for the No. 2 seed at 15–5.

Denver will look to bounce back on Wednesday night when it visits the Indiana Pacers.