In a thrilling matchup on January 14, 2026, the Denver Nuggets triumphed over the Dallas Mavericks with a score of 118-109. Jamal Murray took the spotlight, delivering a stellar performance with 33 points to lead his team to victory. The Mavericks faced a significant setback as they lost their rookie sensation, Cooper Flagg, due to a left ankle sprain, which occurred during the second quarter while he was defending Peyton Watson. This injury proved to be a turning point in the game.
Flagg, the first overall pick in the recent draft and a former standout at Duke, had to limp off the court after the unfortunate incident but managed to return briefly for the last 2:35 of the first half. However, he did not emerge for the second half, leaving fans disappointed. During his time on the floor, Flagg contributed six points in just 15 minutes of play.
Aside from Murray's impressive scoring, Aaron Gordon also shone for the Nuggets, adding 22 points to the scoreboard, while Peyton Watson contributed 18 points. For the Mavericks, Naji Marshall was a bright spot, scoring 24 points, and Brandon Williams added 20 points. Unfortunately for Dallas, they struggled mightily with their shooting, particularly from beyond the arc, finishing with a dismal 14.7% success rate on three-point attempts (only 5 out of 34).
Despite trailing by as many as 23 points earlier in the game, the Mavericks fought back valiantly, narrowing the gap to just five points early in the fourth quarter thanks to a three-pointer by rookie Ryan Nembhard. However, veteran Tim Hardaway Jr. quickly responded for the Nuggets with his own three-pointer, sparking a critical 13-2 run that extended Denver’s lead to 101-85. Murray capped this run with another long-range shot, demonstrating his clutch performance in crucial moments.
As the clock wound down, the Mavericks managed to close the distance to six points within the final minute. Yet, Murray responded with a jumper just above the free-throw line, followed by Gordon sinking two free throws to seal the game.
In addition to Flagg’s injury, the Mavericks were already missing key players, including 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis, who is expected to be sidelined for approximately six weeks due to ligament damage in his left hand. Dereck Lively II is out for the season following foot surgery, further straining the team's frontcourt depth. Adding to the woes, center Daniel Gafford was ruled out for the second half due to a right ankle sprain that has plagued him throughout the season.
Looking ahead, the Nuggets will welcome the Washington Wizards on Saturday to kick off a three-game homestand, while the Mavericks will prepare for back-to-back home games against the Utah Jazz starting Thursday.
