Hold onto your seats, basketball fans, because this game was a nail-biter until the very end! The Denver Nuggets edged out the New Orleans Pelicans 122-116 in a thrilling showdown that kept everyone on the edge of their seats. But here's where it gets controversial—was it Jamal Murray's stellar performance or Peyton Watson's clutch moment that truly sealed the deal? Let’s dive in.
Jamal Murray delivered a powerhouse performance with 35 points and nine assists, but it was Peyton Watson who stole the spotlight. With just 39 seconds left on the clock, Watson sunk a tiebreaking jumper that put the Nuggets back in the lead for good. This game marked Watson’s first appearance since being named the Western Conference player of the week, and he certainly lived up to the honor, finishing with 31 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. Tim Hardaway Jr. also chipped in with 18 points, rounding out a strong offensive effort from Denver.
On the Pelicans' side, Trey Murphy III was unstoppable, scoring 31 points, but it wasn’t enough to prevent New Orleans from suffering their 11th loss in 12 games. And this is the part most people miss—despite Murphy’s layup tying the game at 114 with just over a minute left, the Pelicans couldn’t close the gap. Watson’s basket and Aaron Gordon’s follow-up gave Denver a four-point cushion, and Murray’s free throws with 8.6 seconds remaining iced the game at 120-114.
Murray’s fourth-quarter performance was nothing short of spectacular, scoring 12 points in about eight minutes, including two clutch 3-pointers. But let’s not forget the first half, where Watson went 6 for 6 in the second quarter, scoring 15 points, while Murphy dominated with 22 points to give the Pelicans a 65-60 halftime lead.
Aaron Gordon and Jalen Pickett each contributed 16 points for the Nuggets, who have now won four of their last five games after a slow start to the new year. For the Pelicans, Saddiq Bey and Jordan Poole added 17 and 16 points, respectively, while rookie Derik Queen impressed with a double-double (10 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists). Here’s the bold question: Did the Pelicans’ 50-33 rebounding edge over the Jokic-less Nuggets matter, or was it simply a case of Denver’s stars shining brighter when it counted?
Looking ahead, the Nuggets head to Dallas on Wednesday, while the Pelicans host Brooklyn the same night. What’s your take on this game? Did the Nuggets deserve the win, or did the Pelicans let this one slip away? Let us know in the comments—we’re eager to hear your thoughts!
