Denver’s One-Two Punch Silences Charlotte
The
Denver Nuggets marched into Charlotte and methodically handled the
Hornets 115–106, riding a clinical performance from
Jamal Murray and
Nikola Jokić that never really felt in doubt once Denver settled in.
Murray poured in
34 points with
5 assists and 3 rebounds, while Jokić came one board shy of a triple-double with
28 points, 11 assists, and 9 rebounds.
With the win, Denver moved to
17–6 on the season, while Charlotte slid to
7–17, a record that mirrors how far the Hornets still have to go against elite, well-drilled teams like the defending champs.
How the Game Was Won
The final margin was nine points, but the story was Denver’s control of tempo and execution in the halfcourt.
Key numbers:
-
Final score: Nuggets 115, Hornets 106
-
Jamal Murray: 34 PTS, 5 AST, 3 REB
-
Nikola Jokić: 28 PTS, 11 AST, 9 REB
-
Miles Bridges (CHA): 24 PTS, 9 REB, 8 AST
-
Records: Nuggets 17–6, Hornets 7–17
Whenever Charlotte threatened a run, Denver leaned on the Murray–Jokić two-man game: high pick-and-rolls, dribble handoffs, and short-roll reads that repeatedly forced the Hornets into late, bad decisions defensively.
Murray and Jokić In Total Sync
The NBA’s own recap highlighted how
in sync Murray and Jokić were, and that’s exactly what the film shows.
What stood out:
-
Shot-making: Murray hit from all three levels—pull-up threes, midrange jumpers, and finishes at the rim—punishing any defender who tried to go under screens.
-
Playmaking hub: Jokić orchestrated the offense, delivering
11 assists and routinely bending Charlotte’s defense with his passing from the elbows and top of the key.
-
Near triple-double: Jokić’s
28-11-9 line underlines how he controlled more than just the scoring; he dictated the entire offensive flow.
For Denver, this is the version of Murray that transforms them from “very good” to “almost impossible to scheme out of a series.”
Bright Spot for Charlotte: Miles Bridges’ All-Around Night
Despite the loss,
Miles Bridges delivered one of the most complete games of the night:
24 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists.
He not only scored, but also acted as a secondary playmaker, keeping Charlotte’s offense from completely stalling when Denver ramped up pressure.
For a rebuilding Hornets group, performances like this are a reminder that there is real talent on the roster—just not enough structure or defensive consistency yet to trouble elite teams for 48 minutes.
What This Says About Both Teams
For the Nuggets:
- They look every bit like a top-tier contender again, with a
17–6 record backing that up.
- The Murray–Jokić chemistry is intact and lethal; when both are healthy and rolling, Denver’s halfcourt offense remains one of the hardest puzzles in the league.
For the Hornets:
- The
7–17 mark tells the story: effort and flashes of star-level play (like Bridges’ line) are there, but defensive cohesion against high-IQ offenses is lacking.
- They struggled to contain actions involving both Murray and Jokić, often overhelping on one and giving clean looks or easy reads to the other.
This matchup was less an upset and more a measuring stick: Denver played like a polished contender; Charlotte looked like a young team still trying to figure out how to hang with one.
What to Watch Going Forward
-
Nuggets: If Murray maintains this scoring aggression alongside Jokić’s steady brilliance, Denver’s ceiling remains championship-high. Expect more heavy usage of their two-man actions late in close games.
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Hornets: The Bridges-led core has offensive promise, but the next step is clear—tightening up perimeter defense and pick-and-roll coverages so nights like this don’t become routine against elite guards and bigs.
Sources
1. NUGGETS at HORNETS | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS - YouTube
2. Jamal Murray (34 PTS) & Nikola Jokić (28 PTS) Were In ... - YouTube
