Grading Nuggets Players After Dominant 118-99 Victory Against Shorthanded Mavericks

Jamal Murray erupted for a season-high 45 points, scoring 32 in a dazzling first half, to lead the Denver Nuggets to a dominant 118-99 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night. Murray, who shot an impressive 18 of 26 from the field, including 5 of 9 from 3-point range, added six assists and two steals. 

He exited the game with just under four minutes left, falling five points shy of his career-high of 50 points. Michael Porter Jr. contributed 13 points, while Nikola Jokic recorded 10 points and 14 rebounds as Denver notched its fourth consecutive win and eighth in its last 10 games—all by double-digit margins.

Dallas, playing without Luka Doncic, struggled offensively despite the return of Kyrie Irving, who had missed five games with a back injury. Irving scored just 11 points on 4-of-18 shooting, while Daniel Gafford and Naji Marshall added 13 and 11 points, respectively. The Mavericks also lost Dereck Lively II to a right ankle sprain early in the first quarter, compounding their troubles.

The Nuggets set the tone early, with Murray’s scorching first half leading to a 32-point performance before halftime, marking the third-highest first-half total in the NBA this season. Denver’s dominance continued throughout, handing Dallas its second-worst loss of the season, a 19-point setback second only to a 23-point defeat against the Clippers in December. 

Denver’s efficiency and Murray’s brilliance were too much for Dallas to overcome, as the Mavericks dropped their second straight game to the Nuggets in three days. Let’s give a grade to every Nuggets player after a strong victory on Tuesday night. 

Jamal Murray: A+

Stats: 45 PTS, 2 REB (0 OREB, 2 DREB), 6 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 5 TO, 0 PF, 18-26 FG, 5-9 3PT, 4-4 FT, +14, 37 MIN

Jamal Murray delivered a masterful performance, dropping a season-high 45 points with 32 coming in the first half. His efficient 18-of-26 shooting (including 5-of-9 from beyond the arc) and playmaking (6 assists) set the tone for the Nuggets. Though he committed 5 turnovers, his impact far outweighed any miscues, evident in his +14 plus-minus.

Nikola Jokic: B+

Stats: 10 PTS, 14 REB (2 OREB, 12 DREB), 10 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 3 PF, 4-7 FG, 1-2 3PT, 1-2 FT, +23, 29 MIN

Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic posted a quiet but effective triple-double with 10 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists in just 29 minutes. While his scoring was limited, he facilitated Denver’s offense beautifully and provided stability on both ends, contributing to a +23 plus-minus.

Michael Porter Jr.: B-

Stats: 13 PTS, 6 REB (1 OREB, 5 DREB), 2 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 0 PF, 5-9 FG, 3-4 3PT, 0-0 FT, +20, 26 MIN

Porter Jr. added 13 points and 6 rebounds on 5-of-9 shooting, including 3-of-4 from deep. He played a solid complementary role but lacked significant impact beyond scoring, reflected in his limited defensive stats. Not the best performance from Porter Jr but not the worst one by any means overall. 

DeAndre Jordan: B-

Stats: 8 PTS, 6 REB (3 OREB, 3 DREB), 2 AST, 0 STL, 1 BLK, 2 TO, 0 PF, 3-4 FG, 0-0 3PT, 2-4 FT, 0, 16 MIN

Veteran center DeAndre Jordan provided energy off the bench with 8 points, 6 rebounds, and a block in 16 minutes. His 3-of-4 shooting and physical presence in the paint gave Denver a boost, though turnovers slightly hampered his efficiency.

Peyton Watson: C+

Stats: 9 PTS, 5 REB (0 OREB, 5 DREB), 1 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 2 PF, 2-6 FG, 1-3 3PT, 4-4 FT, +10, 27 MIN

Peyton Watson scored 9 points and grabbed 5 rebounds, contributing defensively with a steal and a block. Despite shooting just 2-of-6 from the field, his perfect 4-of-4 from the free-throw line and effort on both ends earned him a positive grade.

Christian Braun: C+

Stats: 6 PTS, 4 REB (1 OREB, 3 DREB), 0 AST, 0 STL, 3 BLK, 0 TO, 2 PF, 3-6 FG, 0-1 3PT, 0-0 FT, +21, 29 MIN

Christian Braun chipped in 6 points and 4 rebounds while recording 3 blocks, showcasing defensive intensity. Although his offensive contributions were minimal, his +21 plus-minus underscored his positive impact on the floor and his energy was infectious at times.

Russell Westbrook: C+

Stats: 9 PTS, 6 REB (2 OREB, 4 DREB), 3 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK, 4 TO, 2 PF, 3-11 FG, 1-3 3PT, 2-2 FT, +22, 26 MIN

Russell Westbrook had an uneven game with 9 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 turnovers. His shooting struggles (3-of-11 FG) were evident, but he contributed defensively with 2 steals and a block, finishing with a +22 plus-minus. Westbrook did not have his best offensive game but the impact was there. 

Aaron Gordon: C

Stats: 8 PTS, 2 REB (2 OREB, 0 DREB), 0 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 0 TO, 2 PF, 2-9 FG, 0-3 3PT, 4-4 FT, -1, 18 MIN

Aaron Gordon struggled offensively, scoring 8 points on 2-of-9 shooting, including 0-of-3 from three. His defensive effort was commendable, but his lack of scoring efficiency and a -1 plus-minus reflected a below-average performance. We expect Gordon to slowly get back into form as he gets back to full fitness. 

Julian Strawther: C

Stats: 3 PTS, 3 REB (0 OREB, 3 DREB), 2 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 4 PF, 1-3 FG, 1-3 3PT, 0-0 FT, -2, 18 MIN

Strawther added 3 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists in 18 minutes. While his effort was there, his 1-of-3 shooting and 4 personal fouls limited his overall effectiveness.

Zeke Nnaji: N/A

Stats: 4 PTS, 1 REB (0 OREB, 1 DREB), 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 2 TO, 0 PF, 1-1 FG, 0-0 3PT, 2-2 FT, -4, 3 MIN

Zeke Nnaji played just 3 minutes, scoring 4 points on a perfect shooting night (1-of-1 FG, 2-of-2 FT). His limited minutes prevent a full evaluation so he doesn’t get a grade. 

Jalen Pickett: N/A

Stats: 3 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 1 PF, 1-1 FG, 1-1 3PT, 0-0 FT, 0, 4 MIN

Jalen Pickett scored 3 points on 1-of-1 shooting in 4 minutes. His brief stint didn’t allow for a meaningful impact and he doesn’t get a grade for his performance. 

Hunter Tyson: N/A

Stats: 0 PTS, 1 REB (0 OREB, 1 DREB), 1 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 3 PF, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, -4, 3 MIN

Tyson grabbed 1 rebound and dished 1 assist in 3 minutes but didn’t attempt a shot. His limited minutes make a full assessment difficult.

Trey Alexander: N/A

Stats: 0 PTS, 1 REB (0 OREB, 1 DREB), 1 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 1 PF, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, -4, 3 MIN

Alexander recorded 1 rebound and 1 assist in 3 minutes without attempting a shot. Like others with minimal playing time, his impact was negligible.

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