![\"Denver](\"https:\/\/gazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP26085105878017-1024x683.jpg\")
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Joki\u0107, left, looks to pass the ball as Dallas Mavericks forward Dwight Powell defends in the first half of an NBA game Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo\/David Zalubowski)<\/p>\nMilestones were narrowly missed, but the Nuggets\u2019 top two made their case as the league\u2019s best duo and All-NBA selections together for the first time.<\/p>\n
With 53 points, Jamal Murray finished a bucket shy of matching his career-high in Denver\u2019s 142-135 win over the Mavericks on Wednesday at Ball Arena. With 23 points, 21 rebounds and 19 assists, Nikola Jokic finished an assist shy of becoming the first player in NBA history to record multiple games with 20 points, 20 rebounds and 20 assists.<\/p>\n
The dueling performances reminded the Nuggets\u2019 coach of their matching triple-doubles in Game 3 of the 2023 NBA Finals.<\/p>\n
\u201cTonight was just really special, man,\u201d David Adelman said.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust outrageous numbers from the best tandem in the NBA.\u201d<\/p>\n
Murray was a menace from the jump, scoring 15 of his points on nine shots in the first quarter. He went 4 of 5 from 3-point range in the second quarter and headed back to the tunnel with 33 points on 15 shots. It was the second-highest scoring half of his 10-year career. He didn\u2019t force it in the third, adding three points to his tally on just two shot attempts, after the Mavericks adjusted at halftime.<\/p>\n
\u201cPatience is a virtue. He wanted to shoot the ball, obviously, but they adjusted,\u201d Adelman said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe scored points in that quarter because of the way they guarded him. They put two people on him. As the game went on, I thought he did a really good job of rejecting vs. where the set defense was, so he could find space for himself. You\u2019ve got to do what\u2019s right for the team. He always does, and the right thing was to find the pocket and our center, who\u2019s arguably the best passer alive.\u201d<\/p>\n
The first-time All-Star got back in a rhythm, scoring the final 17 points of his night in the final quarter and finished 19 of 28 from the field, 9 of 14 from 3-point range and perfect on six free throws. It was the sixth 50-point performance of his career between the regular season and playoffs.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was making some shots and kept making them,\u201d Murray said. \u201cI mean, Jok had 23, 21 and 19. We can talk about him, too.\u201d<\/p>\n
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Joki\u0107, left, looks to pass the ball as Dallas Mavericks forward Dwight Powell defends in the first half of an NBA game Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo\/David Zalubowski)<\/p>\n
Jokic recorded his 10th assist before halftime and finished off another triple-double in the first minutes of the third quarter. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhen Jamal is having that kind of game, you\u2019re just trying to get him open,\u201d Jokic said. \u201cI know he\u2019s going to take and make shots. Then, when they started blitzing him, it was my turn to get everybody involved or score.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 20-point, 20-rebound game was accomplished in the final minutes of the fourth. He didn\u2019t commit his first turnover until the final minute.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe ball is in his hands a lot, and for him to get doubled most of the time, (he\u2019s) making passes, making reads over high hands, teams are game planning for him,\u201d Murray said. \u201cI think it\u2019s just super impressive. \u2026 He just gets better at doing it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Peyton Watson added 21 impactful points off the bench, while Cam Johnson (12) and Christian Braun (11) rounded out Denver\u2019s five scorers in double figures.<\/p>\n
Cooper Flagg led the Mavericks with 26 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.<\/p>\n
Jokic is a lock to receive All-NBA honors for the eighth time of his career, as long as he doesn\u2019t miss two of Denver\u2019s final eight games. Murray\u2019s case isn\u2019t so clear, but nights like Wednesday certainly help the cause.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust another special night for Jamal, he\u2019s had so many of these,\u201d Adelman said. \u201cI really hope that All-NBA is something that\u2019s obvious and not an argument.\u201d<\/p>\n
The win marked the 400th time Jokic and Murray won a game they played in together. That\u2019s the most of any pair of teammates since the start of their respective careers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe growth that we\u2019ve had together, it\u2019s something that is really unique,\u201d Jokic said. \u201cHopefully, we can continue to play like this.\u201d<\/p>\n
NUGGETS 142, MAVERICKS 135<\/p>\n
What happened: Denver led by one after the first quarter and increased the lead to 68-59 at halftime. Dallas fell behind by 11 to start the fourth, and the Nuggets survived a late scare to improve to 46-28.<\/p>\n
What went right: The Nuggets finished with a 27-12 advantage in fast-break points.<\/p>\n
What went wrong: Dallas finished with a 19-7 advantage in points off turnovers. Denver committed nine turnovers to four for the Mavericks.<\/p>\n
Highlight of the night: Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg drove baseline and threw down a double-pump dunk early in the second quarter. Peyton Watson got the bucket back a couple of possessions later, using a hesitation move to beat Flagg to the bucket for a layup.<\/p>\n
Up next: The Nuggets have a day off before hosting the Jazz on Friday at Ball Arena.<\/p>\n
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