Nuggets Snap Rockets’ Streak with 116-111 Victory in Houston

Houston, TX – The Denver Nuggets overcame the absence of star center Nikola Jokić to defeat the Houston Rockets 116-111 on Sunday night, ending the Rockets’ nine-game winning streak.

Jamal Murray propelled the Nuggets with a game-high 39 points, showcasing his scoring ability, particularly in the third quarter where he contributed 17 points. The win keeps Denver within one game of the second-seeded Rockets in the Western Conference standings.

Despite shooting 51% from the field and making 10 of 21 from beyond the arc, the Nuggets faced a tough challenge. The game saw Denver outscore Houston 39-22 in the third quarter, establishing a commanding 96-79 lead heading into the final period.

Murray’s performance was complemented by contributions from DeAndre Jordan and Michael Porter Jr., who added 11 points and 15 rebounds, and 17 points and nine rebounds, respectively. Murray recorded seven assists and only one turnover in a tightly contested game.

The Rockets rallied in the game’s final minutes, cutting a 109-100 deficit to just three points with a layup from Alperen Sengun. However, Murray sealed the win with two free throws, bringing the lead back to five with just 19 seconds left on the clock.

“We knew we had to step up without Nikola,” Murray said after the game. “Everyone contributed, and we executed our game plan well, especially in that third quarter.”

Sengun also had a notable night, finishing with a triple-double for Houston, scoring 17 points, grabbing 14 rebounds, and dishing out 10 assists. Jalen Green led the Rockets in scoring with 30 points but struggled with his shooting, finishing 8 of 22 from the field.

Houston’s head coach, Ime Udoka, acknowledged the challenge facing his team. “We fell short in the second half, especially in the third quarter where we couldn’t keep up,” Udoka noted. “We need to tighten our defense moving forward.”

As critical as the game was for both teams, it played a significant role in playoff positioning. The Nuggets improved to 45-27 while the Rockets dropped to 46-26, maintaining their position in the Western Conference standings but facing increasing pressure from Denver.

The victory serves as a pivotal momentum booster for the Nuggets as they prepare for their upcoming five-game homestand. Jokić, who has been sidelined with an ankle injury, is expected to return soon, boosting Denver’s prospects as they aim for a strong playoff push.

Denver will host the Chicago Bulls next, while the Rockets look to rebound against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night.