Denver Nuggets Cruise Past Depleted Memphis Grizzlies

Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets dominate in 135-102 victory over short-handed Grizzlies squad.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 11:07pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fractured, multi-perspective painting depicting a basketball game between the Denver Nuggets and Memphis Grizzlies. The players and action are rendered in a cubist, deconstructed style using sharp, overlapping geometric planes and the official team colors of both squads, creating a conceptual illustration of the lopsided matchup.A cubist interpretation of the Nuggets' dominant victory over the depleted Grizzlies, highlighting the stark contrast between the two teams' current states.Oklahoma City Today

The Denver Nuggets, led by three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, easily defeated the injury-riddled Memphis Grizzlies 135-102 on Wednesday night. With the Grizzlies missing 11 players, including Ja Morant and several other key contributors, the Nuggets took advantage and cruised to their 10th straight victory.

Why it matters

This lopsided matchup highlights the vast talent and depth disparity between a championship contender like the Nuggets and a rebuilding team like the Grizzlies. It also raises questions about the Grizzlies' long-term plans after trading away Jaren Jackson Jr. around the trade deadline, signaling a shift towards the future.

The details

The Nuggets' offense was firing on all cylinders, led by Jokic's dominant performance of 28 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists. Jamal Murray added 25 points and 7 assists, while Aaron Gordon chipped in 17 points and 6 rebounds. On the other side, the short-handed Grizzlies were led by Cedric Coward's 13 points and 6 rebounds, but they struggled to keep up with the Nuggets' firepower.

  • The Nuggets have now won 10 straight games.
  • This was the Grizzlies' 54th loss of the season.

The players

Nikola Jokic

The three-time NBA MVP is the centerpiece of the Nuggets' championship aspirations, averaging 28.0 points, 12.9 rebounds and 10.9 assists per game this season.

Jamal Murray

The Nuggets' star point guard is having the best season of his career, averaging 25.4 points and 7.2 assists per game.

Cedric Coward

With the Grizzlies decimated by injuries, Coward has been one of the few bright spots, leading the team in scoring with 13.4 points per game.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We knew coming in that this was going to be a tough game, but our guys stepped up and played with the kind of intensity and focus that has carried us through this winning streak.”

— Michael Malone, Head Coach, Denver Nuggets

“It's been a long season, but we're going to keep fighting and developing our young guys. This is all part of the process as we build towards the future.”

— Taylor Jenkins, Head Coach, Memphis Grizzlies

What’s next

The Nuggets will look to extend their winning streak to 11 games when they host the Phoenix Suns on Friday. The Grizzlies will try to regroup and get healthier as they continue their rebuilding efforts.

The takeaway

This lopsided victory showcases the vast talent gap between a championship contender like the Nuggets and a rebuilding team like the Grizzlies. While the Grizzlies are focused on the future, the Nuggets are primed to make a deep playoff run behind the brilliance of Nikola Jokic.