Nuggets Rally Late to Defeat Shorthanded Jazz

Denver overcomes 10-point fourth quarter deficit to win fifth straight game

Mar. 28, 2026 at 3:54am

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The Denver Nuggets overcame a late 10-point deficit to defeat the shorthanded Utah Jazz 131-129 on Friday night. Led by the All-Star duo of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, the Nuggets went on a 21-5 run in the final 5:30 to pull out the comeback victory. Jokic recorded his 31st triple-double of the season with 33 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists, while Murray added 31 points and 14 assists.

Why it matters

The win extends the Nuggets' winning streak to five games and keeps them firmly in the Western Conference playoff race. Despite some struggles this season, the Nuggets have shown the ability to win close games in crunch time, a valuable trait heading into the postseason.

The details

The Nuggets trailed by 10 points with 5:30 remaining before closing the game on a 21-5 run to pull out the victory. Sixth man Tim Hardaway Jr. was a key contributor off the bench, scoring 21 points and posting a game-high plus-minus of +25.

  • The Nuggets trailed by 10 points with about 5:30 left in the fourth quarter.
  • The Nuggets went on a 21-5 run in the final 5:30 to win 131-129.

The players

Nikola Jokic

The Nuggets' All-Star center recorded his 31st triple-double of the season with 33 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists.

Jamal Murray

The Nuggets' All-Star guard scored 31 points and dished out 14 assists to complement Jokic's performance.

Tim Hardaway Jr.

The Nuggets' sixth man scored 21 points and had a game-high plus-minus of +25.

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What they’re saying

“Finding ways to win, whether it be injuries, defensive struggles, or concerns in the clutch, the Nuggets have shown a few reasons why they might not be built for a title run this season. However, making the most of situations like Friday night's nail-biter is exactly what they need.”

— Logan Struck

What’s next

The Nuggets will now face the Golden State Warriors on Sunday, with the opportunity to take advantage of the absence of superstar Steph Curry.

The takeaway

The Nuggets' comeback win over the shorthanded Jazz showcases their resilience and ability to win close games, a valuable trait as they look to make a deep playoff run. Despite some inconsistencies this season, the Nuggets have proven they can find ways to win when it matters most.