Nuggets Rally Late But Fall Short Against Pistons

Jamal Murray's late-game heroics not enough as Denver loses 109-107

Jan. 27, 2026 at 11:31pm

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The Denver Nuggets mounted a furious late-game comeback against the Detroit Pistons, but ultimately fell short 109-107 despite 24 points from Jamal Murray. The Nuggets trailed by as many as 18 points but fought back to make it a one-possession game in the final minute before Murray missed a pair of free throws that could have tied it.

Why it matters

The loss is a tough one for the Nuggets, who have been playing well in the absence of injured superstar Nikola Jokic. It shows the team's resilience in battling back, but also their continued struggles without their three-time MVP center.

The details

The Nuggets entered the game shorthanded, missing starters Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun, and of course Jokic. They struggled mightily in the first quarter, shooting just 31.6% and falling behind 31-18. But they fought back, cutting the deficit to just one point late before ultimately coming up short. Pistons guard Cade Cunningham led all scorers with 22 points.

  • The Nuggets trailed by as many as 18 points in the game.
  • With 2:27 left, Jamal Murray hit a jumper to cut the Pistons' lead to 99-97.
  • With 56.4 seconds remaining, Tim Hardaway Jr. hit a 3-pointer to make it 103-102.

The players

Jamal Murray

The Nuggets' star guard led all scorers with 24 points, including a late push to try and rally Denver to victory.

Cade Cunningham

The Pistons' star guard led his team with 22 points, helping Detroit hold on for the win.

Nikola Jokic

The Nuggets' three-time MVP center has been out for a month with a knee injury, and the team has struggled in his absence.

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What they’re saying

“We played our (butts) off to get back into the game.”

— David Adleman, Nuggets Head Coach (Denver Post)

What’s next

The Nuggets will look to bounce back on Thursday when they host the Brooklyn Nets. Jokic's return timeline remains uncertain, but the team is hopeful he can return soon to help them make a push in the Western Conference standings.

The takeaway

Despite the Nuggets' valiant effort to overcome a large deficit, their struggles without Nikola Jokic were ultimately too much to overcome against the Eastern Conference-leading Pistons. The loss highlights the importance of Jokic to Denver's success and the team's need to find ways to win without their superstar center.