Game Overview: A Nail-Biter in Houston
What a ride it was last night at the Toyota Center. The Denver Nuggets, already pegged as serious threats to the Thunder’s Western Conference dominance alongside their hosts, turned a potential disaster into a gritty road win. Despite losing Aaron Gordon to a hamstring strain early, they outlasted the Houston Rockets 112-109 in this NBA Cup showdown. Both squads showed why they’re in the mix for the crown—high-flying offense, defensive lapses that kept us all on edge, and stars who delivered when it counted most.
For a deeper dive into how these teams stack up against the league’s elite, check out our Western Conference power rankings. And if you’re tracking MVP chatter, don’t miss the latest odds update.
Starting Lineups and Pre-Game Buzz
Denver came in hot, leaning on their core: Jamal Murray at point, Cam Johnson on the wing, Peyton Watson adding defensive bite, Aaron Gordon in the frontcourt, and Nikola Jokić anchoring it all. Over in Houston, it was Alperen Şengün at center, Jabari Smith Jr. stretching the floor, Steven Adams bringing physicality, Amen Thompson’s athleticism, and— in this wild 2025 twist—Kevin Durant suiting up for the Rockets, drawing every eye in the arena.
Jokić entered the night on fire, averaging 29.1 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 11.1 assists to lead the league in boards and dimes. Meanwhile, Şengün was no slouch, the only other big man besides Jokić posting 23+ points, 10+ rebounds, and 7+ assists. For full season stats breakdowns, head over to NBA.com’s player profiles for the unvarnished numbers.
First Quarter: Nuggets Jump Out Early
Right from tip-off, Denver set the tone. Jokić wasted no time, racking up seven points and seven rebounds as the Nuggets built a 25-12 lead after one. Murray and Watson chipped in five apiece, while Durant’s six points for Houston felt like a teaser of the star power to come. By the 3:50 mark, Denver was up 16-8, and the Houston crowd was already murmuring.
It was classic Nuggets basketball—methodical, Jokić-orchestrated, with Murray slicing through for easy buckets. The Rockets looked disjointed, but you could sense the comeback brewing.
Halftime Drama: Rockets Flip the Script (and Gordon Goes Down)
Then came the second quarter explosion. Houston outscored Denver 37-21, fueled by rookie sensation Reed Sheppard’s 20-point half. The Nuggets, meanwhile, managed just 25 total in the period, with Jokić held to a measly three. Halftime score: Rockets 49, Nuggets 46.
Worse for Denver fans: Aaron Gordon strained his right hamstring and was ruled out for the night. That news hit like a gut punch—Gordon’s been the glue guy all season. For injury updates and recovery timelines, see ESPN’s NBA injury report.
Third Quarter Grind: Denver Claws Back
The break seemed to reset the Nuggets. They poured in 34 points to Houston’s 29, grabbing an 80-78 edge after three. Jokić erupted for 28 points, nine boards, and six assists through 27 minutes—vintage Joker magic. Murray added 12 points and eight dimes, keeping the offense humming.
On the other side, Sheppard cooled off with just four in the frame, though Jabari Smith Jr. battled with 12 points and seven rebounds. It was a see-saw affair, with both teams trading haymakers. If you’re into advanced analytics, Basketball-Reference’s box scores break down the plus-minus swings perfectly.
Fourth Quarter Thriller: Buzzer-Beaters and Foul Trouble
The final frame was pure chaos. Houston hung tough, but Denver’s stars shone brightest. Jokić finished with 34 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists— inches from a triple-double. Murray dropped 26 points and 10 assists, the ultimate floor general.
Amen Thompson led the Rockets with 22 points and seven boards, but it was Sheppard’s second-half fade (just seven more points) that hurt. With 5.5 seconds left, Jabari Smith Jr. drained a three to make it 110-109, then fouled out immediately. Jokić sealed it at the line, ice in his veins.
Final: Nuggets 112, Rockets 109.
For video recaps of those heart-stopping moments, stream the full highlights on Amazon Prime Video’s NBA Cup archive.
Key Performers and What It Means
- Nikola Jokić (DEN): 34 PTS, 10 REB, 9 AST. The MVP frontrunner just keeps cooking—check his last nine games average: 34.0 PPG, 12.6 RPG, 11.3 APG.
- Jamal Murray (DEN): 26 PTS, 10 AST. Back to All-Star form.
- Amen Thompson (HOU): 22 PTS, 7 REB. Showed why he’s a cornerstone.
- Reed Sheppard (HOU): 27 PTS total, but the half-time heroics faded—echoes of rookie wall talks in our NBA rookie rankings.
- Alperen Şengün (HOU): Steady double-double threat, joining Jokić in elite company.
This win bumps Denver up in the NBA Cup standings and reinforces their contender status. Houston? Still dangerous, but that second-half stall raises questions. Both teams tip off again soon—stay tuned via our NBA schedule hub.
What stood out to you in this one? Drop your take in the comments. If you’re new to the Cup format, NBA.com explains it all. Catch you for the next roundup!
