Injuries Impact Denver Nuggets vs. Dallas Mavericks Game in NBA Cup Clash

The Denver Nuggets and the Dallas Mavericks faced off on Friday night at Ball Arena in a game overshadowed by injuries to key players. With both teams having several athletes sidelined, the contest lacked some of the usual star power. The Nuggets had six players on their injury list, including two-time MVP Nikola Jokic, although he participated in the game, while the Mavericks listed five, such as their star Luka Doncic, who did not play.

Despite their challenges, the Nuggets were buoyed by Jokic’s return, who delivered a triple-double with 33 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists. However, his efforts were not enough as Denver succumbed to a 123-120 defeat, dropping to 1-2 in the group stage of the NBA in-season tournament.

Michael Porter Jr., who contributed 17 points, and Russell Westbrook, with a notable 16-point performance featuring a barrage of successful three-point shots in the fourth quarter, attempted to close a wide gap for the Nuggets. About their first-half performance, team coach Michael Malone said, «You can’t ease into a game and expect to win.» The Nuggets fell into a large deficit after being out-shot and out-rebounded, particularly struggling in the paint and in transition plays.

The Mavericks capitalized on the Nuggets’ early setbacks, with Naji Marshall scoring a career-high 26 points. As regulation time wound down, Murray’s late three-point shot reduced the Denver deficit but was insufficient as Dallas maintained composure with crucial free throws to seal their victory.

Looking to recover from this loss while heading into their next game in Los Angeles, Malone emphasized the need for his players to not rely solely on Jokic, stating, «A lot of guys exhaled because Nikola was back and expected Superman to carry the day. That’s not fair. Do your own job.»

The Nuggets’ attempt to rally from a 73-53 halftime deficit showcased their ability to fight back, led by Porter, who was able to put the Mavericks on the defensive with contested threes and offensive strategies. Despite a spirited second-half effort, the team’s difficulty in sustaining momentum without Jokic on the court proved decisive.