Vinny Benedetto
@vbenedetto.bsky.social
Denver Nuggets beat writer for the Denver Gazette.
Nuggets have Murray intentionally miss a FT down 3 with 5 seconds left. Jalen Duren grabs the rebound and Detroit runs it out for 124-121 victory.
Joker 24-15-4. Murray 32-1-8. Strawther adds 15 points and 8 rebounds in 23 minutes.
Cade with 29.
Joker 24-15-4. Murray 32-1-8. Strawther adds 15 points and 8 rebounds in 23 minutes.
Cade with 29.
February 4, 2026 at 2:49 AM
Nuggets have Murray intentionally miss a FT down 3 with 5 seconds left. Jalen Duren grabs the rebound and Detroit runs it out for 124-121 victory.
Joker 24-15-4. Murray 32-1-8. Strawther adds 15 points and 8 rebounds in 23 minutes.
Cade with 29.
Joker 24-15-4. Murray 32-1-8. Strawther adds 15 points and 8 rebounds in 23 minutes.
Cade with 29.
Jamal Murray just took Denver's 40th free throw of the night.
Nuggets down 3 with a minute to go.
Nuggets down 3 with a minute to go.
February 4, 2026 at 2:39 AM
Jamal Murray just took Denver's 40th free throw of the night.
Nuggets down 3 with a minute to go.
Nuggets down 3 with a minute to go.
Another Watson block -> Murray corner 3 off Strawther dime = Denver down 2 with 2:04 left. Timeout Pistons.
February 4, 2026 at 2:34 AM
Another Watson block -> Murray corner 3 off Strawther dime = Denver down 2 with 2:04 left. Timeout Pistons.
Jokic dime to Braun -> another Watson deflection -> couple of Jokic free throws = Denver within 5 wit 2:33 to go.
February 4, 2026 at 2:33 AM
Jokic dime to Braun -> another Watson deflection -> couple of Jokic free throws = Denver within 5 wit 2:33 to go.
Impressive recovery and block on Cunningham and a deflection from Peyton Watson on consecutive defensive possessions. Julian Strawther gets a transition bucket to bring Denver within 10 in the middle of the fourth.
Strawther has 15.
Strawther has 15.
February 4, 2026 at 2:25 AM
Impressive recovery and block on Cunningham and a deflection from Peyton Watson on consecutive defensive possessions. Julian Strawther gets a transition bucket to bring Denver within 10 in the middle of the fourth.
Strawther has 15.
Strawther has 15.
Pistons lead 93-80 after 3.
Jokic with a better 3Q. He's up to 17-13-1 on 7-16 FG. He's played nearly 25 minutes.
Murray leads Nuggets with 18-1-8 on 4-13 FG.
Cunningham (19) and Robinson (17) lead the Pistons.
Very little has come easily for Denver. Detroit up 19-2 in FB points.
Jokic with a better 3Q. He's up to 17-13-1 on 7-16 FG. He's played nearly 25 minutes.
Murray leads Nuggets with 18-1-8 on 4-13 FG.
Cunningham (19) and Robinson (17) lead the Pistons.
Very little has come easily for Denver. Detroit up 19-2 in FB points.
February 4, 2026 at 2:05 AM
Pistons lead 93-80 after 3.
Jokic with a better 3Q. He's up to 17-13-1 on 7-16 FG. He's played nearly 25 minutes.
Murray leads Nuggets with 18-1-8 on 4-13 FG.
Cunningham (19) and Robinson (17) lead the Pistons.
Very little has come easily for Denver. Detroit up 19-2 in FB points.
Jokic with a better 3Q. He's up to 17-13-1 on 7-16 FG. He's played nearly 25 minutes.
Murray leads Nuggets with 18-1-8 on 4-13 FG.
Cunningham (19) and Robinson (17) lead the Pistons.
Very little has come easily for Denver. Detroit up 19-2 in FB points.
Peyton Watson draws Cade Cunningham's fourth foul in the middle of the third quarter.
Would be good time for Denver, down 79-61, to make a run. Nuggets are shooting 33.3% from the field and 23.8% from 3.
Would be good time for Denver, down 79-61, to make a run. Nuggets are shooting 33.3% from the field and 23.8% from 3.
February 4, 2026 at 1:45 AM
Peyton Watson draws Cade Cunningham's fourth foul in the middle of the third quarter.
Would be good time for Denver, down 79-61, to make a run. Nuggets are shooting 33.3% from the field and 23.8% from 3.
Would be good time for Denver, down 79-61, to make a run. Nuggets are shooting 33.3% from the field and 23.8% from 3.
Cunningham hits a 3 in the final 10 seconds to give the Pistons a 69-50 lead at halftime. Cade's got 17 and 7.
Uncharacteristic first half from Jokic, who has 7-8-1 on 3-10 FG and 3 TOs.
Murray (14 pts) and Bruce Brown (10) leading the Nuggets. Denver's 4-17 from 3, 18 pts off FT
Uncharacteristic first half from Jokic, who has 7-8-1 on 3-10 FG and 3 TOs.
Murray (14 pts) and Bruce Brown (10) leading the Nuggets. Denver's 4-17 from 3, 18 pts off FT
February 4, 2026 at 1:19 AM
Cunningham hits a 3 in the final 10 seconds to give the Pistons a 69-50 lead at halftime. Cade's got 17 and 7.
Uncharacteristic first half from Jokic, who has 7-8-1 on 3-10 FG and 3 TOs.
Murray (14 pts) and Bruce Brown (10) leading the Nuggets. Denver's 4-17 from 3, 18 pts off FT
Uncharacteristic first half from Jokic, who has 7-8-1 on 3-10 FG and 3 TOs.
Murray (14 pts) and Bruce Brown (10) leading the Nuggets. Denver's 4-17 from 3, 18 pts off FT
Ron Holland II has been active on the defensive end, and the Pistons are up 13 in the middle of the 2Q after Holland's steal on Jokic leads to a Cade Cunningham bucket in transition.
February 4, 2026 at 1:03 AM
Ron Holland II has been active on the defensive end, and the Pistons are up 13 in the middle of the 2Q after Holland's steal on Jokic leads to a Cade Cunningham bucket in transition.
Pistons lead 32-27 after one.
Jamal Murray scored Denver's last seven to make it a one-possession game before a late foul. Murray has 13 thanks to 7-7 FT. Jokic is only other Nugget with multiple buckets.
Duncan Robinson leads Detroit with 8 points.
Jamal Murray scored Denver's last seven to make it a one-possession game before a late foul. Murray has 13 thanks to 7-7 FT. Jokic is only other Nugget with multiple buckets.
Duncan Robinson leads Detroit with 8 points.
February 4, 2026 at 12:47 AM
Pistons lead 32-27 after one.
Jamal Murray scored Denver's last seven to make it a one-possession game before a late foul. Murray has 13 thanks to 7-7 FT. Jokic is only other Nugget with multiple buckets.
Duncan Robinson leads Detroit with 8 points.
Jamal Murray scored Denver's last seven to make it a one-possession game before a late foul. Murray has 13 thanks to 7-7 FT. Jokic is only other Nugget with multiple buckets.
Duncan Robinson leads Detroit with 8 points.
Spencer can only be eligible for 1 more game on his two-way contract. I believe Nuggets are holding him out tonight since Christian Braun returned - guessing Spencer plays tomorrow night, while CB sits the second night of the back-to-back. Think the plan is to convert Jones after trade deadline.
Is Spencer Jones hurt? And when are they gonna pay him??
February 4, 2026 at 12:40 AM
Spencer can only be eligible for 1 more game on his two-way contract. I believe Nuggets are holding him out tonight since Christian Braun returned - guessing Spencer plays tomorrow night, while CB sits the second night of the back-to-back. Think the plan is to convert Jones after trade deadline.
Flagrant 1 on Jonas Valanciunas, who also receives an offsetting technical foul with Jalen Duren.
Stewart puts the Pistons up 9 from the line.
Stewart puts the Pistons up 9 from the line.
February 4, 2026 at 12:35 AM
Flagrant 1 on Jonas Valanciunas, who also receives an offsetting technical foul with Jalen Duren.
Stewart puts the Pistons up 9 from the line.
Stewart puts the Pistons up 9 from the line.
Those brave, brave souls getting between Jonas Valanciunas and Isaiah Stewart.
February 4, 2026 at 12:31 AM
Those brave, brave souls getting between Jonas Valanciunas and Isaiah Stewart.
Pistons are out to a 13-7 lead in Detroit.
Spencer Jones is in street clothes, so Denver's presumably saving his one remaining game game for tomorrow night against the Knicks.
Nikola Jokic has 5 of Denver's points. Nuggets are 0-5 from 3 in the first 5 minutes.
Spencer Jones is in street clothes, so Denver's presumably saving his one remaining game game for tomorrow night against the Knicks.
Nikola Jokic has 5 of Denver's points. Nuggets are 0-5 from 3 in the first 5 minutes.
February 4, 2026 at 12:21 AM
Pistons are out to a 13-7 lead in Detroit.
Spencer Jones is in street clothes, so Denver's presumably saving his one remaining game game for tomorrow night against the Knicks.
Nikola Jokic has 5 of Denver's points. Nuggets are 0-5 from 3 in the first 5 minutes.
Spencer Jones is in street clothes, so Denver's presumably saving his one remaining game game for tomorrow night against the Knicks.
Nikola Jokic has 5 of Denver's points. Nuggets are 0-5 from 3 in the first 5 minutes.
Nuggets start Jamal Murray, Jalen Pickett, Christian Braun, Peyton Watson and Nikola Jokic vs. Detroit.
Might be a night where they have Spencer Jones inactive. SJ can only be active in one more game on his two-way contract. Nuggets probably want to see how deadline plays out before converting.
Might be a night where they have Spencer Jones inactive. SJ can only be active in one more game on his two-way contract. Nuggets probably want to see how deadline plays out before converting.
February 3, 2026 at 11:47 PM
Nuggets start Jamal Murray, Jalen Pickett, Christian Braun, Peyton Watson and Nikola Jokic vs. Detroit.
Might be a night where they have Spencer Jones inactive. SJ can only be active in one more game on his two-way contract. Nuggets probably want to see how deadline plays out before converting.
Might be a night where they have Spencer Jones inactive. SJ can only be active in one more game on his two-way contract. Nuggets probably want to see how deadline plays out before converting.
Christian Braun will play tonight, per Katy Winge on the other site.
February 3, 2026 at 10:50 PM
Christian Braun will play tonight, per Katy Winge on the other site.
Thunder and Nuggets fans arguing about officiating (I'm Homer):
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZSo...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZSo...
If You Get Hit, It's Your Own Fault (The Simpsons)
YouTube video by ThingsICantFindOtherwise
www.youtube.com
February 3, 2026 at 1:58 AM
Thunder and Nuggets fans arguing about officiating (I'm Homer):
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZSo...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZSo...
Christian Braun has been updated to questionable for tomorrow's game in Detroit.
Aaron Gordon and Cam Johnson remain out. Tamar Bates and Curtis Jones are the only other players listed on Denver's injury report.
Caris LeVert questionable for the Pistons with an illness.
Aaron Gordon and Cam Johnson remain out. Tamar Bates and Curtis Jones are the only other players listed on Denver's injury report.
Caris LeVert questionable for the Pistons with an illness.
February 2, 2026 at 9:36 PM
Christian Braun has been updated to questionable for tomorrow's game in Detroit.
Aaron Gordon and Cam Johnson remain out. Tamar Bates and Curtis Jones are the only other players listed on Denver's injury report.
Caris LeVert questionable for the Pistons with an illness.
Aaron Gordon and Cam Johnson remain out. Tamar Bates and Curtis Jones are the only other players listed on Denver's injury report.
Caris LeVert questionable for the Pistons with an illness.
It does not sound like David Adelman will be coaching the All-Star Game despite the Nuggets having the best record among eligible coaches.
February 2, 2026 at 5:39 AM
It does not sound like David Adelman will be coaching the All-Star Game despite the Nuggets having the best record among eligible coaches.
Jamal Murray also said he'd rather be an All-NBA guy than an All-Star, but he's going to play hard in Los Angeles.
February 2, 2026 at 5:28 AM
Jamal Murray also said he'd rather be an All-NBA guy than an All-Star, but he's going to play hard in Los Angeles.
"I’m really happy for my dad. He really wanted me to make it," Jamal Murray said of his All-Star selection.
Jamal and his dad shared a big hug after his pregame warmup.
Jamal and his dad shared a big hug after his pregame warmup.
February 2, 2026 at 5:27 AM
"I’m really happy for my dad. He really wanted me to make it," Jamal Murray said of his All-Star selection.
Jamal and his dad shared a big hug after his pregame warmup.
Jamal and his dad shared a big hug after his pregame warmup.
David Adelman is not blaming officiating for the outcome, but he mentions big guys get officiated differently on a night-to-night basis, while smaller players get a more consistent whistle.
He notes 13 FTAs for SGA to 4 for Nikola Jokic.
He notes 13 FTAs for SGA to 4 for Nikola Jokic.
February 2, 2026 at 5:16 AM
David Adelman is not blaming officiating for the outcome, but he mentions big guys get officiated differently on a night-to-night basis, while smaller players get a more consistent whistle.
He notes 13 FTAs for SGA to 4 for Nikola Jokic.
He notes 13 FTAs for SGA to 4 for Nikola Jokic.
Final: Thunder 121, Nuggets 111.
OKC is +11 in points off turnovers and +9 on 3s.
Watson leads the Nuggets wit 29-5-3. Jokic 16-7-8 with 6 turnovers.
SGA with 34-5-13 on 11-16 FG.
OKC is +11 in points off turnovers and +9 on 3s.
Watson leads the Nuggets wit 29-5-3. Jokic 16-7-8 with 6 turnovers.
SGA with 34-5-13 on 11-16 FG.
February 2, 2026 at 5:02 AM
Final: Thunder 121, Nuggets 111.
OKC is +11 in points off turnovers and +9 on 3s.
Watson leads the Nuggets wit 29-5-3. Jokic 16-7-8 with 6 turnovers.
SGA with 34-5-13 on 11-16 FG.
OKC is +11 in points off turnovers and +9 on 3s.
Watson leads the Nuggets wit 29-5-3. Jokic 16-7-8 with 6 turnovers.
SGA with 34-5-13 on 11-16 FG.
Jokic with his fifth and sixth turnovers in the last couple of minutes. Thunder lead by 17 with 3 minutes left.
Nuggets fans have seen enough.
Nuggets fans have seen enough.
February 2, 2026 at 4:53 AM
Jokic with his fifth and sixth turnovers in the last couple of minutes. Thunder lead by 17 with 3 minutes left.
Nuggets fans have seen enough.
Nuggets fans have seen enough.