NBA

New Orleans Pelicans at Denver Nuggets

· National Basketball Association
12-39, 4-21 Away
Final
119 - 144

32-19, 16-8 Home

Porter ties career high with 39 points, Jokic adds 38 as Nuggets beat struggling Pelicans 144-119

Porter, Jokic combine for 77 in Nuggets' blowout of Pelicans

Porter finished 16 of 23 from the field, including five 3-pointers, and had 12 rebounds. His name has been mentioned in trade speculation ahead of Thursday’s deadline, but coach Michael Malone recently dismissed the notion.

Jokic added 10 assists and eight rebounds for the short-handed Nuggets, who were missing Russell Westbrook (hamstring) and Peyton Watson (knee). Aaron Gordon matched a career best with 12 assists.

Denver and New Orleans met for the second time in three nights. The Nuggets won 125-113 on Monday.

Zion Williamson finished with 28 points for the Pelicans, who lost their seventh straight game.

Takeaways Pelicans: Trey Murphy III had 25 points after going for 40 and 41 in his previous two games.

Nuggets: The Nuggets had 40 assists, 37 fast-break points and 74 points in the paint. They entered the game leading the league in all three categories. ... Christian Braun had 23 points. ... Porter also had 39 points on April 24, 2021, against Houston.

Key Moment Tied at 72 in the third quarter, Porter hit a running layup to give the Nuggets the lead for good. It was part of a 41-23 run to close out the quarter.

Key Stat Jokic attempted a career-high 13 shots from 3-point range and made five.

Up Next The Nuggets host Orlando on Thursday, while the Pelicans are at Sacramento on Saturday.

Regular Season Series

DEN wins series 3-1

Recent Plays

4th 0.0 End of Game 119 - 144
4th 0.0 End of the 4th Quarter 119 - 144
4th 10.0 shot clock turnover 119 - 144
4th 34.1 Karlo Matkovic makes free throw 2 of 2 119 - 144
4th 34.1 Karlo Matkovic makes free throw 1 of 2 118 - 144

Statistics

https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nba/500/no.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originNO https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nba/500/den.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originDEN
43-93 FG 57-100
46 Field Goal % 57
10-29 3PT 16-43
34 Three Point % 37
23-26 FT 14-15
88 Free Throw % 93
38 Rebounds 51
10 Offensive Rebounds 13
28 Defensive Rebounds 38
26 Assists 40
5 Steals 9
3 Blocks 4
11 Turnovers 7
0 Team Turnovers 2
11 Total Turnovers 9
0 Technical Fouls 0
0 Total Technical Fouls 0
0 Flagrant Fouls 0
19 Points Conceded Off Turnovers 18
18 Fast Break Points 37
58 Points in Paint 74
10 Fouls 21
4 Largest Lead 27
Denver Nuggets Denver Nuggets Injuries
NAME, POS STATUS DATE
Aaron Gordon, F Out May 1
Peyton Watson, G Out Apr 29
New Orleans Pelicans New Orleans Pelicans Injuries
NAME, POS STATUS DATE
Trey Murphy III, F Out Apr 11
Dejounte Murray, G Out Apr 11
Bryce McGowens, G Out Apr 11
Yves Missi, C Out Apr 11
Karlo Matkovic, F Out Apr 11

Game Information

Ball Arena

Location: Denver, CO
Attendance: 19,526 · Capacity:

2025-26 Southwest Standings

TEAM W L PCT GB STRK
San Antonio 62 20 .756 - L1
Houston 52 30 .634 10 W1
New Orleans 26 56 .317 36 L2
Dallas 26 56 .317 36 W1
Memphis 25 57 .305 37 L8

2025-26 Northwest Standings

TEAM W L PCT GB STRK
Oklahoma City 64 18 .780 - L2
Denver 54 28 .659 10 W12
Minnesota 49 33 .598 15 W2
Portland 42 40 .512 22 W2
Utah 22 60 .268 42 L1
Full Standings

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