The Dallas Mavericks pulled off a dramatic upset victory over the Denver Nuggets, defeating them 131-121 on Monday night in Denver. The win marked a turning point for Dallas, who overcame a 17-point deficit to secure consecutive victories for the first time this season.
Anthony Davis Leads the Charge
Anthony Davis was the star of the show, scoring a season-high
32 points in just his second game back from a 14-game injury absence. The dominant forward also contributed
13 rebounds, showcasing his complete impact on both ends of the floor. Davis had previously returned against the Lakers on Friday night and sat out Saturday for maintenance, but looked fully healthy against Denver.
"He looked dominant in his seventh game of the season," the reports noted, as Davis proved he's ready to lead the Mavericks' playoff push.
Rookie Sensation Ryan Nembhard Shines
Rookie sensation
Ryan Nembhard delivered a career-best performance with
28 points and 10 assists, both personal highs. His playmaking and scoring punch were instrumental in Dallas's second-half surge, helping the Mavericks execute their comeback strategy with precision.
Cooper Flagg added
24 points for Dallas, which showcased impressive three-point shooting by connecting on
16 of 31 attempts from beyond the arc.
Denver's Defensive Collapse
The Nuggets' defense crumbled in the second quarter, allowing the Mavericks to outscore them
42-27 during that stretch. This marked the third time in the last six home quarters that Denver allowed 41 or more points in a single quarter—a troubling trend for the defending champions.
Despite the loss,
Nikola Jokić recorded his
11th triple-double of the season with
29 points, 20 rebounds, and 13 assists. Backup guard
Spencer Jones also had a career night with
28 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome Dallas's offensive firepower.
The Turning Point
With 9:31 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Mavericks trailed by just four points. They then unleashed an
18-5 run to take a commanding
129-117 lead with just 1:29 left on the clock. The Nuggets' offense stalled down the stretch, missing
10 consecutive shots, including six from three-point range.
The loss was particularly frustrating for Denver as it marked their
fourth consecutive home defeat, with three of those losses coming against teams without winning records. Additionally,
Jamal Murray dealt with an injury scare during the game, limping to the locker room at halftime and again in the third quarter, though he did return to action.
What's Next
The Mavericks improved to
7-15 with the victory and will host the
Miami Heat on Wednesday night. The Nuggets, now
14-6 on the season, begin a four-game road trip at Indiana on Wednesday, looking to bounce back from their recent home struggles.
This upset victory signals that the Mavericks, despite their modest record, have the talent and resilience to compete with elite teams when healthy. With Anthony Davis back in form and their young core stepping up, Dallas could be poised for a strong second half of the season.
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1.
Anthony Davis has 32 points as Mavericks beat Nuggets 131-1212.
Dallas Mavericks beat Denver Nuggets 131-1213.
Mavericks Highlights at Denver Nuggets
Sources
1. MAVERICKS at NUGGETS | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS - YouTube
2. Mavericks Highlights at Denver Nuggets | December 1, 2025
3. Anthony Davis has 32 points as Mavericks beat Nuggets 131-121
4. Anthony Davis scores season-high 32 points as Dallas Mavericks ...
5. Denver Nuggets vs Dallas Mavericks Full Game Highlights - YouTube
