Nuggets pull off late win over Pistons despite early Nikola Jokic ejection

Field Level Media|published: Mon 20th November, 21:47 2023

Nov 20, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Reggie Jackson (7) dribbles defended by Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey (23) in the first half at Little Caesars Arena. credits: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Reggie Jackson had 21 points and six assists as the visiting Denver Nuggets overcame the ejection of center Nikola Jokic and handed the Detroit Pistons their 12th straight loss, 107-103, on Monday.

Denver coach Michael Malone was ejected with 1:21 remaining in the first quarter for arguing with the officials. Jokic was tossed with 1:22 left in the half after picking up his second technical.

Jokic finished the game with nine points, five rebounds and five assists.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope supplied 20 points for the Nuggets, who snapped a four-game road losing streak. Christian Braun contributed 15 points and six rebounds, and Michael Porter Jr. tossed in 14 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Aaron Gordon added 11 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.

Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 27 points and nine assists. Marvin Bagley had 18 points and eight rebounds, Jaden Ivey added 17 points and Isaiah Stewart chipped in 11 points and 11 rebounds.

The Nuggets had a 56-55 halftime lead. All 10 of their players who saw action scored, as they shot 53.7 percent from the field. Detroit was led by Ivey, who had 13 points.

Denver clung to the lead until Ivey made a layup to give Detroit a 66-65 edge. The Nuggets answered with 3-pointers from Braun and Porter.

A 7-0 Pistons spurt, capped by a Cunningham 3-pointer, allowed the Pistons to regain the lead. Jackson scored with 24 seconds left in the quarter to give Denver an 81-79 lead entering the fourth.

Stanley Umude scored eight consecutive Pistons points to give them an 87-84 edge. Porter's 3-pointer with 6:57 left put Denver back on top, 92-91.

Free throws by Stewart gave Detroit a 95-94 lead with five minutes to go. After Jackson tied it at 97-all with a three-point play, neither side had more than a two-point advantage until Gordon's three-point play with 1:25 left.

That made it 106-103. Both sides had empty possessions until Denver sealed the contest on a Jackson free throw with 1:01 remaining.

—Field Level Media

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