NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – Unquestionably, the best time for opponents to catch the Denver Nuggets is when they are without star center Nikola Jokic.
The Pelicans had that chance Tuesday night (Jan. 13), but still managed to squander a late lead in a 122-116 loss to the shorthanded Nuggets.
Jamal Murray poured in 35 points and Peyton Watson added 31 to lead Denver to its comeback victory, achieved by outscoring New Orleans 16-6 in the final four minutes.
Jokic, the Nuggets’ three-time NBA MVP and seven-time All-Star center, has been sidelined since Dec. 29 when he hyperextended his left knee.
The Pelicans appeared in control for much of the game, taking a lead early in the second quarter and holding it until early in the fourth. New Orleans led by as many as nine points (69-60) with 10:13 left in the third quarter.
Even after a couple of fourth-quarter lead changes, the Pelicans (9-33) still were up by four points at 110-106 with 4:04 left in the game.
Then Denver (27-13) went on its 16-6 run to end the game, dropping the Pelicans to 6-18 at the Smoothie King Center.
Trey Murphy III led New Orleans with 31 points, keeping up a hot January that has seen him average 31.3 points in the first five games of the new year.
The Pelicans outrebounded the Nuggets, 50-33, but turned the ball over 14 times to Denver’s seven.
Saddiq Bey followed Murphy with 17 points, while Jordan Poole (16), Zion Williamson (12), Derik Queen (10) and Jeremiah Fears (10) also scored in double figures.
The Pelicans are home again Wednesday night, hosting the Brooklyn Nets at 7 p.m. on the Gulf Coast Sports and Entertainment Network.
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