Nuggets' Murray scores 45 to beat depleted Jazz 128-125

Denver holds off late Utah rally despite missing key players

Mar. 3, 2026 at 6:55am

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Jamal Murray scored 45 points, including the go-ahead free throws in the final minute, to help the Denver Nuggets defeat the short-handed Utah Jazz 128-125 on Monday night. Keyonte George led the Jazz with 36 points, but was denied two key free throws late in the game after a lengthy review. Nikola Jokic added 22 points and 12 rebounds for the Nuggets, who held on despite a late push from the Jazz.

Why it matters

This was an important win for the Nuggets, who had lost three of their last four games. The Jazz were missing several key players due to injury, but still managed to make it a close game down the stretch. The outcome could have implications for playoff seeding in the Western Conference.

The details

With Jokic on the bench, Jamal Murray took over in the third quarter, scoring 18 of his 45 points and hitting five 3-pointers to help the Nuggets build a 100-93 lead. However, the Jazz fought back, with Keyonte George matching Murray's scoring output. George's dunk with 2:13 left gave Utah a 122-118 advantage, but Murray and Jokic made key plays in the final minute to secure the win for Denver.

  • The game was played on Monday, March 3, 2026.
  • Murray scored 18 of his 45 points in the third quarter.

The players

Jamal Murray

A 28-year-old guard for the Denver Nuggets who scored 45 points, including the go-ahead free throws in the final minute, to lead his team to victory.

Nikola Jokic

The 31-year-old star center for the Denver Nuggets, who had 22 points and 12 rebounds in the game.

Keyonte George

A 22-year-old guard for the Utah Jazz, who scored 36 points in the losing effort.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

The takeaway

This game showcased the scoring prowess of Jamal Murray and the resilience of the short-handed Jazz, who nearly pulled off the upset despite missing several key players. The outcome could have implications for playoff positioning in the Western Conference as the season winds down.