With 2.8 seconds left and the game tied at 109, Nikola Jokic stepped to the free-throw line in the deafening roar of the Toyota Center. He didn’t flinch. Swish. Swish. The Denver Nuggets had their lead. The Houston Rockets had one last hope — a 70-foot heave from Alperen Sengun. It clanged off the backboard. Game over. NBA Cup drama at its finest.
From Trailing to Triumph: The Fourth-Quarter Surge
With nine minutes left, the Nuggets were down by five. The Rockets, riding a five-game winning streak, looked poised to extend it. But then came the run — a 20-9 avalanche fueled by Jokic’s ice-cold efficiency and Jamal Murray’s playmaking. Jokic scored 24 of his 34 points after halftime, including five crucial baskets in the final four minutes. Murray, quietly brilliant, dished out 10 assists and hit three threes, turning defense into offense with surgical precision. The Nuggets shot 53% from the field overall, but it was their composure under pressure that won it.
Meanwhile, Houston’s offense, led by rookie sensation Reed Sheppard, had been electric early. Sheppard dropped 20 points in the first half on 8-of-11 shooting — 66.7% from deep — becoming the first Rockets rookie to hit five threes in a game since 2019. Amen Thompson added 22 points and seven rebounds, while Jabari Smith Jr. nearly notched a double-double with 21 points and 11 boards. But when it mattered most, Houston’s bench couldn’t match Denver’s depth. Tim Hardaway Jr. chipped in 12 off the pine, and the Nuggets’ second unit outscored Houston’s 31-20.
Standings Shift: Nuggets Climb, Rockets’ Streak Ends
The win improved Denver’s record to 12-4, placing them second in the Western Conference — just 3.5 games behind the red-hot Oklahoma City Thunder. More importantly, it pushed their Emirates NBA Cup record to 2-1 with one game left. For Houston, the loss snapped a five-game winning streak and dropped them to 10-4 overall, now 0.5 games behind the San Antonio Spurs for third. Their NBA Cup record fell to 1-2, making their final game against the Golden State Warriors on November 26 a must-win just to stay in contention.
The quarter-by-quarter scoring told the story: Denver dominated early (25-12), Houston exploded in the second (37-21), and Denver clawed back with gritty defense in the third (34-29). The fourth quarter? Pure tension. Every possession felt like a playoff game. Houston’s defense locked in, but Denver’s ball movement — 28 assists on 41 field goals — was too much. Jokic, despite being double-teamed on nearly every possession, found open shooters like Murray and Hardaway with uncanny vision. He didn’t just score; he orchestrated.
Rookie Fireworks and Veteran Poise
Reed Sheppard’s performance was the kind that gets highlight reels spinning. His 27 points, five threes, and four assists weren’t just career highs — they were franchise milestones for a rookie who entered the season as a second-round pick. He didn’t just shoot; he moved without the ball, cutting through the lane like a ghost. But even Sheppard couldn’t match the poise of Jokic, who at 29, plays like a man who’s seen every defense and mastered them all. His nine assists? They weren’t flashy. They were surgical. A bounce pass through traffic. A no-look dime to Murray in the corner. A fake-and-kick to Hardaway that froze three defenders.
Kevin Durant, now with Houston after his blockbuster offseason move, managed just 13 points on 5-of-14 shooting. He looked tired — or perhaps out of rhythm. The Rockets’ offense ran through Sheppard and Thompson, not Durant, and it showed. Meanwhile, Denver’s chemistry, built over years, clicked like a well-oiled machine. Jokic and Murray have played together since 2016. That kind of history doesn’t show up in stats — but it shows up in clutch moments.
What’s Next? Cup Final Showdowns Loom
Denver’s final Emirates NBA Cup game comes on November 28 at Ball Arena against the Spurs — a rematch that could decide who advances to the Cup semifinals. Houston, meanwhile, faces the Warriors on November 26 in San Francisco. A win there keeps their Cup hopes alive. A loss? They’ll be eliminated, and the focus shifts entirely to the regular season.
For Denver, this win isn’t just about a trophy. It’s about proving they’re still the team to beat in the West. They’ve lost just four games all season. Jokic is playing at an MVP level again. Murray is healthy. The bench is deep. They’re not just contenders — they’re the standard.
For Houston? They’re building. Sheppard’s emergence is a gift. Thompson’s aggression is promising. But they still lack a true alpha in crunch time. Durant is a superstar, but he’s not the engine. Not yet. This loss stings — but it might be the wake-up call they need.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Nikola Jokic’s performance compare to his usual stats this season?
Jokic’s 34-point, 10-rebound, nine-assist line matched his season average of 26.8 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 8.1 assists — but this game was more impactful. He scored 24 of his 34 points in the second half, including the final six points to seal the win. This was his 10th 30-point game of the season, and his third with at least nine assists in the last five games. He’s now averaging 2.4 points per game more than last season, and his field goal percentage has jumped to 58.3% — the highest of his career.
Why is the Emirates NBA Cup still relevant with only one game left for Denver?
The top two teams in each NBA Cup group advance to the semifinals. Denver is currently tied for first in Group B with the Spurs, both at 2-1. A win against San Antonio on November 28 would clinch the group and guarantee a home semifinal. Even a loss could still be enough if other results go their way. The Cup also offers bonus points toward playoff seeding — so every game matters, even if it’s not a traditional regular-season matchup.
What does Reed Sheppard’s breakout mean for Houston’s future?
Sheppard’s 27-point night is the clearest sign yet that Houston’s rebuild is gaining traction. As a second-round pick (57th overall), he’s already outperforming expectations. His 44% three-point shooting this season puts him among the league’s top rookies. If he maintains this level, he could become Houston’s starting shooting guard by next season — and a core piece alongside Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith Jr. The Rockets now have three promising young wings, and Sheppard’s IQ suggests he’s the glue.
Why didn’t Kevin Durant have a bigger impact despite being on the Rockets?
Durant, 36, is still a scoring threat, but he’s clearly adjusting to a new system. Houston’s offense is built around pace and ball movement — not isolation-heavy sets like his old teams. He took only 14 shots, many contested, and didn’t attempt a single free throw. The Rockets are still figuring out how to use him — likely as a sixth-man scorer rather than a primary option. His 13 points came on inefficient shooting, and he had zero assists. His role may evolve, but right now, he’s not the engine — Sheppard and Thompson are.
How does this loss affect Houston’s playoff chances?
Houston is still in a strong position — 10-4 is the third-best record in the West. But losing to a top-tier team like Denver, especially after a five-game win streak, raises questions. Their remaining schedule includes games against the Warriors, Lakers, and Clippers. If they can’t close out games against elite opponents, they might slip to the 5th or 6th seed — meaning a tougher first-round matchup. Their defense, ranked 18th in the league, is their biggest weakness. Jokic carved them up repeatedly — and that’s a red flag for postseason play.
What’s the significance of Jokic’s free throws at the end?
Jokic went 6-for-6 from the line on the night, including those final two. That’s critical because he’s historically struggled with free throws — his career average is 73.5%. This season, he’s shooting 81.2%, a career high. Those two points weren’t just points — they were proof he’s evolved. In the past, teams would foul him on purpose. Now, they’re forced to guard him. That’s why Denver wins close games: Jokic doesn’t just score — he finishes.