Nuggets blow late lead before downing Rockets in OT

Field Level Media|published: Tue 16th December, 24:57 2025

Dec 15, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Jonas Valanciunas (17) shoots over Houston Rockets guard Aaron Holiday (0) in the second quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Jamal Murray scored six of his 35 points in overtime, Nikola Jokic produced 39 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists before fouling out, and the host Denver Nuggets beat the Houston Rockets 128-125 on Monday night.

Tim Hardaway Jr. and Cameron Johnson scored 13 apiece and Spencer Jones contributed 11, including a 3-pointer in overtime to help Denver end its four-game home losing streak.

The Nuggets, who have won five in a row overall, saw Peyton Watson leave for good in the first quarter due to a right trunk injury.

Alperen Sengun finished with 33 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, Kevn Duran added 25 points and five blocks, Amen Thompson had 14 points and 12 rebounds, and Jabari Smith Jr. logged 16 points and 10 boards for Houston. Josh Okogie scored 16 while Reed Sheppard finished with 14 for the Rockets, who have lost two of their past three games.

The Nuggets scored the first seven points of overtime before Houston hit two straight buckets to make it 124-121 with 2:02 left. Jokic sank two free throws with 1:40 remaining but fouled Sheppard to end his night.

Sheppard split the free throws before Murray made two at the other end with 47.2 seconds left for a six-point lead. Sengun converted a three-point play with 37.7 seconds left.

Murray missed at the other end, but Sengun was off target on a 3-point attempt to end the game.

Denver led 109-104 with 2:45 left in regulation, but the Rockets rallied to tie it. Murray split a pair of free throws with 18.1 seconds left to put the Nuggets on top, but Sengun's hook shot with 2.3 seconds left put the Rockets ahead 117-116.

Thompson fouled Hardaway before the ensuing inbounds play, and Murray's free throw sent it to overtime.

The Nuggets trailed by nine early in the second quarter but ended the half on a 17-6 run to lead 58-51 at intermission.

Houston rallied in the third, and a flagrant-1 foul on Bruce Brown started a run of eight straight points, resulting in a 79-75 Rockets lead. Jokic hit a 3-pointer and fed Johnson for a deep bucket that began a Denver surge, and the Nuggets were up 89-86 heading into the fourth.

--Field Level Media