The Denver Nuggets secured a hard-fought 116-108 road victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night. Nikola Jokic orchestrated the offense with 26 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds, while Jamal Murray added 23 points and nine assists to guide Denver across the finish line. Denver withstood a spirited home push down the stretch to close out the eight-point win.

Christian Braun contributed 17 points and seven rebounds for the Nuggets, providing vital secondary scoring throughout the evening. New Orleans countered behind a powerful 24-point display from Zion Williamson, who also grabbed six rebounds. Despite Williamson's interior production, the Pelicans could not overcome Denver's late offensive efficiency.

The decisive moment

Holding a narrow lead in the final minutes, the Nuggets leaned on their veteran chemistry to create critical separation. Murray and Jokic executed consecutive scoring possessions down the stretch, answering every basket New Orleans produced. That steady playmaking turned a tight fourth-quarter contest into a decisive road triumph.

The Pelicans applied pressure through Williamson's aggressive drives, but Denver's disciplined defense contested shots without fouling. Denver secured defensive rebounds and iced the outcome at the free-throw line in the closing seconds.

By the numbers

  • Nikola Jokic: 26 points, 8 rebounds, 10 assists
  • Jamal Murray: 23 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists
  • Zion Williamson: 24 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists
  • Christian Braun: 17 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist
  • Final scoring margin: 8 points in favor of Denver (116-108)

Denver's star tandem accounted for 49 points and 19 assists, controlling tempo and shot quality across both halves. Their playmaking balance ultimately offset Williamson's paint scoring.

What it means

The victory showcases Denver's collective poise while managing an impacted rotation without Moses Moody, Julian Strawther, and Kristaps Porzingis. Delivering a poised performance on the road underscores Denver's tactical foundation during the 2026-27 NBA Regular Season. For New Orleans, the outcome underscores the difficulty of keeping pace when opponents execute at an elite level in crunch time.

What to watch next

Denver aims to sustain this sharp offensive rhythm while continuing to adapt to short-handed lineup combinations. New Orleans will look to build upon Williamson's interior strength and tighten late-game defensive execution.

New Orleans Pelicans shot chart: every field-goal attempt by court location, final NOP 108, DEN 116
Nuggets 116, Pelicans 108 (Nov. 14, at home). Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 24 points on 9-of-16 shooting. The Pelicans shot 37-of-89 (41.6%) and 13-of-33 from 3. Every Pelicans field-goal attempt, by location: Graphic: wire.report
Denver Nuggets shot chart: every field-goal attempt by court location, final DEN 116, NOP 108
Nuggets 116, Pelicans 108 (Nov. 14, on the road). Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 26 points on 9-of-14 shooting. The Nuggets shot 42-of-80 (52.5%) and 4-of-16 from 3. Every Nuggets field-goal attempt, by location: Graphic: wire.report

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