Nuggets 144-119 Pelicans (5 February 2025) Game Recap

Denver-Michael Porter Jr. Tied a career high with 39 points on the threshold of the trade deadline, Nikola Jokic 38 added, and Denver Nugget beat the fighting New Orleans Pelican’s 144-119 Wednesday night for their fourth equal victory.

Porter ended 16 of 23 from the field, including five 3-Pointers, and had 12 rebounds. His name has been mentioned in trade speculations before Thursday’s deadline, but coach Michael Malone recently rejected the performance.

Jokic added 10 assists and eight rebounds to the short -handed nuggets that lacked 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 on three nights. Nuggets won 125-113 Monday.

Zion Williamson ended with 28 points for Pelicans who lost their seventh straight match.

Takeaways

Pelicans: Trey Murphy III had 25 points after walking 40 and 41 in his previous two matches.

Nuggets: Nuggets had 40 assists, 37 quick points and 74 points in the paint. They went into the game that led the league in all three categories. … Christian Braun had 23 points. … Porter also had 39 points on April 24, 2021 against Houston.

Keying moment

Tied to 72 in the third quarter, Porter hit a continuous set -up to give the nuggets the lead for good. It was part of a 41-23 race to close the quarter.

Key State

Jokic tried a career high 13 shot from 3-point reach and made five.

Up next

Nuggets hosts Orlando on Thursday, while the Pelicans are at Sacramento on Saturday.

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AP NBA: