Jamal Murray and the Nuggets spoiled Michael Porter Jr.’s first game back in Denver, fending off a late Brooklyn Nets rally to defend homecourt.
It was a homecoming Michael Porter Jr. would rather forget as his ex-teammate Jamal Murray had other plans.
Murray poured in 27 points as the Denver Nuggets weathered a second-half surge from the Brooklyn Nets to edge out a 107-103 win on Friday, January 30 (PH time).
Denver had built a 19-point lead early but saw Brooklyn rally to take a 92-90 lead on Nolan Traore’s layup with 4:40 left in regulation.
A timely 10-2 Nuggets run restored order, giving Denver a 100-94 advantage with under two minutes as the team hang on from there to preserve the win.
The victory marked Denver’s third win in four games, improving their record to 32-16 and placing them just half a game behind the San Antonio Spurs (32-15) for the second-best record in the Western Conference.
Tim Hardaway Jr. came off the bench to fire 25 points, while Peyton Watson added 17, and Jonas Valanciunas and Bruce Brown combined for 23 points.
Porter Jr., who won a title with the Nuggets in 2023 before being traded in last year's offseason to Brooklyn, went off with a game-high 38 points and 10 rebounds.
Yet, despite his heroics, the Nets fell for the seventh consecutive game, sliding further to 12-34 and extending their struggles.
Denver will next face the LA Clippers (22-24), while Brooklyn travels to Utah to take on the Jazz (15-33).
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.