Brandon Ingram’s 29 points and determined play helped the New Orleans Pelicans snap a six-game losing streak on Friday night, as they defeated the Denver Nuggets 101-94 in an intense NBA matchup.
The Pelicans, who had been struggling with injuries and offensive inconsistency, made a statement by ending the Nuggets’ five-game winning streak. Despite twisting his left ankle during the game, Ingram continued to play through the pain and led his team to a much-needed victory.
Ingram’s strong showing was complemented by key contributions from Brandon Boston Jr., who chipped in 19 points, and Trey Murphy III, who added 17 points. The trio’s combined scoring effort was a major factor in the Pelicans’ victory, as they shot the ball efficiently and outpaced the Nuggets on offense. New Orleans, which had only managed 88 points in two of its previous three losses, found better offensive spacing and rhythm in this contest, overcoming their recent struggles.
Denver, playing without three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, was forced to rely on Michael Porter Jr., who led the Nuggets with 24 points. Peyton Watson added 18 points, and Jamal Murray contributed 16 points but struggled with his outside shooting, making just 2 of 8 from beyond the arc. Jokic, who missed the game for personal reasons, was a significant absence for the Nuggets, as his playmaking and offensive presence were sorely missed.
The absence of Jokic forced Denver to adjust its offensive strategy, and the Pelicans took full advantage of the opportunity. New Orleans doubled Jamal Murray on nearly every possession, which limited the Nuggets’ offensive flow and disrupted their high-powered attack. Without Jokic to anchor the offense, Denver struggled to generate consistent scoring, particularly from long range. The Nuggets, who entered the game shooting 40.4% from three-point range, finished just 10 of 37 from beyond the arc—an inefficient 27%.
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Assistant coach David Adelman took over the head coaching duties for Denver in place of Michael Malone, who remained in Colorado to watch his daughter, Bridget, compete in the state volleyball playoffs. While Adelman’s leadership was admirable, the Nuggets’ offensive struggles were evident as they failed to fully capitalize on the Pelicans’ defensive lapses.
New Orleans’ defense, which had been inconsistent all season, stepped up in key moments, particularly in slowing down Denver’s perimeter shooting. The Pelicans executed well on their double-teams against Murray, forcing other players to step up and contribute offensively. This defensive effort helped New Orleans build a solid lead, which they managed to maintain throughout the game.
The key moment of the game came midway through the fourth quarter when the Nuggets closed within a single point, 87-86, on a three-pointer by Russell Westbrook. However, the Pelicans responded with an 8-0 run, which included a clutch three-pointer from Javonte Green and another from Boston, pushing the lead back to a comfortable margin. This run effectively sealed the victory for New Orleans, as Denver couldn’t recover in the final minutes.
Despite Denver’s efforts to make a late push, New Orleans’ strong shooting and defense in the second half allowed them to hold off the Nuggets. The Pelicans outshot Denver from the perimeter, which was crucial in maintaining control of the game. Ingram’s leadership was key, as his offensive skill set kept the Nuggets’ defense on its heels, and his resilience after injuring his ankle demonstrated his commitment to his team’s success.
For New Orleans, this win was a crucial confidence boost after their recent struggles. In addition to Ingram’s stellar performance, Boston’s consistent scoring—he has averaged 19.9 points over his last four games—has been a major positive development for the Pelicans. Boston’s ability to step up in a game without Zion Williamson (who remains sidelined) provides hope for the team as they continue to build chemistry and improve offensively.
On the other side, the Nuggets will need to regroup after this loss, especially with Jokic’s absence leaving a noticeable gap in their lineup. While Porter, Watson, and Murray all showed flashes of brilliance, Denver’s overall performance was affected by their inability to hit shots consistently, especially from long range. The absence of Jokic forced other players to step up, but they could not match the offensive firepower needed to overcome the Pelicans.
Looking ahead, the Nuggets will travel to Memphis for a matchup on Sunday, hoping to bounce back from this defeat. Denver will likely welcome Jokic back into the lineup, and his presence will be key to their success moving forward. For New Orleans, their attention now turns to hosting the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night. With Ingram leading the charge and Boston and Murphy contributing, the Pelicans will look to build momentum from this victory and string together more wins.
This win is a reminder that even without their full roster, the Pelicans can still be a dangerous team when their key players perform at a high level. For Denver, the road ahead will require them to find their rhythm again, especially in terms of perimeter shooting, as they wait for Jokic’s return to the court.