Denver Nuggets 104–91 New Orleans Pelicans: match recap

Match recap

Nikola Jokic's triple-double and Jamal Murray's 23 points powered Denver past New Orleans despite a gritty 25-point effort from Zion Williamson. The Nuggets controlled the perimeter, shooting 38.7% from deep against the Pelicans' 23.3%.

Denver seized control early with pinpoint three-point shooting, knocking down five triples in the first half while holding New Orleans to just 2-of-11 from beyond the arc. Jokic orchestrated the offense with 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists, consistently finding open shooters like Christian Braun (15 points) and Aaron Gordon (15 points, 11 rebounds). The Pelicans fought back behind Williamson's relentless drives and a 36-19 bench advantage led by D. Queen's 11-point, 12-rebound double-double and J. Fears' 11 points, but New Orleans' 23.3% three-point shooting proved fatal. Denver's 42-41 rebounding advantage and 30-20 assist advantage underscored their ball movement superiority, while the home crowd couldn't lift the Pelicans past Denver's balanced attack.

Key factors

• Denver shot 38.7% from three-point range compared to New Orleans' 23.3%
• Jokic's triple-double orchestrated a 30-assist team performance against New Orleans' 20
• Pelicans bench outscored Denver's 36-19 but couldn't overcome poor perimeter efficiency

The Analyst's take

The numbers show Denver's three-point shooting and passing are a lethal combination when Jokic operates as the hub; New Orleans will need more consistent perimeter creation around Williamson to challenge elite teams. For Denver, maintaining that 38.7% from deep while integrating DeMar DeRozan (6 points, 5 assists) into the flow will be key in upcoming matchups.