Nuggets Return From All-Star Break with 9th Straight Win, Claim 2nd Seed in West

A night after stunning the Los Angeles Lakers 100-97, the Charlotte Hornets gave the Denver Nuggets a run for their money at Ball Arena.

But while Charlotte covered their massive 18-point spread, on a night where Mark Williams and LaMelo Ball both sat, the Nuggets came out on top 129-115 for their ninth straight win.

Jamal Murray picked up right where he left off before the All-Star Break: registering over 20 first half points and 34 points overall to lead all Nuggets scorers at on Thursday night. Murray previously recorded a career-high 55 points in the Nuggets last game against the Trail Blazers.

Nikola Jokic chucked up three-pointers early and often, nailing four three-pointers in the first quarter and finishing the game with 29 points, 17 rebounds, 9 assists, and six three-pointers made.

The Nuggets inched back to full strength after the eight-day layoff, returning Russell Westbrook and Michael Porter Jr. to the lineup. Porter Jr. had an uncharacteristically quiet night with just six points scored, after averaging 30.0 points per game over his last four played.

With the win, Denver improves to 37-19. With the Memphis Grizzlies falling to the Indiana Pacers on the same night, the Nuggets claimed temporary ownership of the Western Conference’s second seed, by half a game.

The Nuggets will look to extend their winning streak against a familiar foe with a new look: the Los Angeles Lakers. Denver infamously took seven straight games against the Lakers in the last two postseasons, and have won 13 of the last 14 matchups against Los Angeles.

Of course, that Lakers team is technically not around anymore: instead of big man Anthony Davis patrolling the floor with LeBron James, it will be Slovenian superstar Luka Doncic, who shares a good relationship with Jokic.

Many of the Nuggets’ recent home games have featured inferior competition and huge halftime leads: but Saturday’s matchup with the Lakers may be the first taste of a psuedo-playoff atmosphere at Ball Arena since last May.

How far can Denver push this winning streak? Can Nikola Jokic close in on his fourth NBA MVP Award? To follow the Denver Nuggets 2024-25 season, be sure to follow @SakSports on X/Twitter or Facebook.