In a dramatic NBA Cup showdown, Naji Marshall erupted for a career-high 26 points while P.J. Washington delivered a double-double with 22 points and 13 rebounds to propel the Dallas Mavericks past the Denver Nuggets, 123-120.
Despite a furious Denver rally that erased a 24-point deficit, the Mavericks leaned on late heroics to notch their second win in West Group C play.
The Mavericks, playing without Luka Doncic due to a right wrist sprain that will sideline him for at least four games, showcased their depth and resilience. Seven players scored in double figures as Dallas improved to 2-1 in group play and kept their hopes alive in the NBA Cup.
Denver welcomed back Nikola Jokic, who had missed three games to be with his family for the birth of his second child. Jokic returned in dominant form, notching his sixth triple-double of the season with 33 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists. However, his stellar performance wasn’t enough to prevent Denver’s elimination from knockout-round contention.
The Mavericks exploded out of the gate, building a commanding 20-point halftime lead and extending it to 77-53 early in the third quarter. But the Nuggets responded with a furious rally, outscoring Dallas 60-36 over the next stretch to grab a 113-108 advantage late in the fourth.
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P.J. Washington then took over, scoring nine of his 22 points in the final 2:41. His clutch buckets helped Dallas mount an 11-2 run to reclaim the lead, 119-115, with 50 seconds remaining. The Mavericks sealed the win by holding Denver scoreless in the final moments, thanks in part to a pair of crucial blocks by Dereck Lively II on Nikola Jokic and Russell Westbrook with the game tied at 113.
Westbrook, who contributed 16 points for Denver, found his shooting touch from beyond the arc. Entering the game as a career 30.4% 3-point shooter, Westbrook went 4-for-6 from deep, including three makes in the fourth quarter that helped the Nuggets’ comeback effort.
The Mavericks’ depth shone in Doncic’s absence, with balanced scoring across the roster. Their ability to weather Denver’s push and execute in the clutch provided a glimpse of their potential even without their All-Star leader.
On the other side, Denver’s Christian Braun continued his consistent scoring streak, finishing with 17 points. Braun remains the only Nuggets player to score in double figures in every game this season, while Jokic extended his streak of games with at least 10 points in all his appearances.
Despite the loss, Jokic’s return bolstered the Nuggets, though their defensive struggles early on proved costly. Denver’s elimination from the NBA Cup knockout round underscores the challenge of maintaining momentum amidst roster adjustments and injuries.
As Dallas celebrated a critical win, their sights now turn to Miami, where they will face the Heat on Sunday night. The Nuggets, meanwhile, will aim to regroup quickly as they head to Los Angeles for a Saturday night clash with the Lakers.
This contest not only showcased the Mavericks’ depth and Denver’s grit but also highlighted the unpredictability of NBA Cup play, where every game brings its own drama and playoff-like intensity.
