Nuggets 112-101 Mavericks (January 12, 2025) Game Summary

DALLAS — – Russell Westbrook had 21 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists and Nikola Jokic added 19 points, 18 rebounds and nine assists as the Denver Nuggets rallied in the fourth quarter to beat the Dallas Mavericks 112-101 on Sunday.

The Nuggets trailed by 19 points late in the third period and by 12 early in the fourth. They outscored the Mavericks in the fourth period 33-12. After hitting just four of 25 3-pointers through three quarters, Denver shot 3 for 7 down the stretch, while the Mavs missed all 11 3-point attempts in the fourth.

The Nuggets won for the 12th time in 17 games.

Klay Thompson scored 25 points to lead the Mavericks, who are 2-5 without All-Star guards Luka Doncic (calf strain) and Kyrie Irving (back sprain). Thompson was scoreless on four shots, all 3-pointers, in the fourth period.

Takeaways

Nuggets: At 23-15, they are eight games over .500 for the first time this season and 12-3 with Jokic and Westbrook in the starting lineup. Their 21.9% shooting on 3s (7 of 32) was their worst this season. Aaron Gordon returned for the first time since Christmas and had 13 points on 6-for-7 shooting from the floor and six rebounds in 18 minutes.

Mavericks: Doncic finished third in last season’s MVP voting but is ineligible this season starting Sunday because he cannot meet the threshold of playing in at least 65 regular-season games.

Key moment

With Mavericks center Dereck Lively II playing with five fouls, Jokic spun inside forward PJ Washington for a finger-roll basket with 4:28 left. That gave the Nuggets a 99-96 lead, their first lead of more than one point.

Key state

The Nuggets outscored the Mavericks 68-40 in the paint.

Next

The teams meet again in Dallas on Tuesday night in their final regular season meeting of the season.

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