Jamal Murray scored 31 points and led a late push as the Denver Nuggets defeated the Toronto Raptors 121-115 on Friday night. Nikola Jokic added a key basket in the final minute as Denver pulled away in a tightly contested finish.
The game remained close throughout, with both teams trading leads in the second half. Toronto tied the score in the final minute, but Denver responded with a decisive run to secure the result. The Nuggets improved to an even record since the All-Star break, while the Raptors saw their three-game winning streak come to an end.
Toronto stayed competitive behind strong interior play, but Denver’s execution in the closing moments made the difference. The result adds to a crowded playoff picture in both conferences, where each game carries increasing weight.
Back-And-Forth Battle In Second Half
The pace picked up after halftime as both teams found rhythm on offense. Toronto leaned on its frontcourt, while Denver relied on perimeter shooting and ball movement to score.
The Nuggets trailed 101-98 before Tim Hardaway Jr. tied the game with a three-pointer midway through the fourth quarter. That shot shifted momentum and set up a tense final stretch.
Hardaway played a key role throughout the night. He scored 23 points and made seven of his 10 attempts from beyond the arc. His shooting helped open space for Murray and Jokic to operate.
Denver gradually built a small lead late in the game. The Nuggets went ahead 115-110 with under two minutes remaining, but Toronto responded with quick scoring to stay within reach.
Raptors Rally Falls Short
Toronto showed resilience in the closing minutes. Scottie Barnes drove for a layup to cut the deficit, then Jakob Poeltl completed a three-point play to tie the game at 115 with one minute left.
Poeltl led the Raptors with 23 points and 11 rebounds. He controlled the paint and consistently scored inside. Brandon Ingram added 19 points, while RJ Barrett contributed 18.
Despite that effort, Toronto could not complete the comeback. The team struggled to get stops in the final possessions and missed chances to regain control.
The Raptors relied on efficient interior scoring but lacked consistent perimeter production. That imbalance limited their ability to stretch Denver’s defense late in the game.
Denver Executes In Final Minute
Denver responded immediately after the game was tied. Jokic scored on a turnaround jumper with 45 seconds remaining to give the Nuggets the lead.
Murray then extended the advantage by converting three free throws. Aaron Gordon added another point at the line to cap a 6-0 run that sealed the outcome.
The Nuggets showed composure in those final moments. They limited mistakes, controlled the pace, and executed in half-court sets. That approach allowed them to close the game without giving Toronto another chance to tie.
Jokic finished with 22 points and nine rebounds. While he did not dominate statistically, he delivered in key moments and helped organize Denver’s offense throughout the game.
Gordon added 16 points and provided physical defense, especially during the final stretch.
Playoff Implications And Team Outlook
The win keeps Denver steady as it looks to build momentum late in the season. The Nuggets have been inconsistent since the All-Star break, but this result shows they can execute in close games.
Toronto remains in a competitive position in the Eastern Conference despite the loss. The Raptors continue to hover around the middle of the standings, where small margins separate several teams.
The end of the season will test Toronto’s consistency. The team has shown balance across its lineup, but closing games remains an area for improvement.
Denver, meanwhile, will look to build on this performance. Strong contributions from multiple players and effective late-game execution provide a foundation for the final stretch.
Up Next
Toronto continues its road trip with a visit to Phoenix on Sunday night. Denver stays home to face Portland, aiming to extend its momentum.
