Denver Nuggets Rout Houston Rockets

Nikola Jokic leads Denver to dominant victory over struggling Houston squad.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 4:53am

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The Denver Nuggets cruised to a 129-93 victory over the Houston Rockets in a lopsided NBA matchup on Sunday night. Denver's star center Nikola Jokic led the way with a triple-double, while the Rockets struggled to find any offensive rhythm against the Nuggets' stifling defense.

Why it matters

This win continues Denver's strong start to the season and solidifies their status as one of the top teams in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, the loss is another setback for the rebuilding Rockets, who are still searching for their identity after trading away several key players in the offseason.

The details

Jokic finished the game with 22 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists to lead the Nuggets. Denver shot an efficient 53% from the field and had six players score in double figures. On the other side, the Rockets were led by Jalen Green's 18 points but shot just 39% as a team and struggled to keep up with the Nuggets' pace.

  • The game was played on Sunday, March 12, 2026.

The players

Nikola Jokic

The star center for the Denver Nuggets, known for his all-around game and MVP-caliber performances.

Jalen Green

A young, promising guard for the Houston Rockets who led his team in scoring in this game.

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What they’re saying

“We came out with a lot of energy and really set the tone defensively. When we play like that, we're tough to beat.”

— Nikola Jokic

“They were the aggressor all night and we just couldn't match their intensity. We've got to be better if we want to compete with the top teams in the league.”

— Jalen Green

The takeaway

The Nuggets' dominant win over the Rockets showcases their status as one of the NBA's elite teams, while the Rockets' struggles highlight the challenges they face as they rebuild their roster and try to return to contention.