Jamal Murray's 33 points and the Denver Nuggets' resilience secured a 118-109 victory over the Dallas Mavericks, despite Cooper Flagg's early exit with a sprained ankle. The rookie, a top pick, sustained the injury during a foul call in the second quarter, limping to the locker room but returning briefly before the break. Despite his efforts, Flagg didn't return for the second half, finishing with six points in 15 minutes. Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson contributed 22 and 18 points, respectively, for Denver. The Mavericks struggled with a season-low 14.7% 3-point shooting, with Naji Marshall and Brandon Williams scoring 24 and 20 points, respectively. Dallas mounted a comeback, narrowing the deficit to five early in the fourth, but Tim Hardaway's 3-pointer sparked a 13-2 run for Denver, extending their lead to 101-85. Murray and Gordon's clutch performances sealed the win, with Murray hitting a crucial jumper and Gordon's free throws in the final minutes. The Mavericks' struggles continued with Daniel Gafford's early exit due to a recurring right ankle sprain, joining Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively II on the sidelines. The Nuggets' next challenge awaits in Washington, while the Mavericks host Utah in consecutive home games.
