Kings vs Nuggets | Denver steals the night with a comeback

Denver Nuggets pulled off another late-game comeback, defeating the Sacramento Kings 116-110 in a tense Western Conference clash. Sacramento dominated most of the night, but once again, Denver’s calm fourth-quarter execution turned the tide. Nikola Jokić led the charge with a near triple-double, while Jamal Murray’s clutch shooting buried the Kings’ hopes.

Key Moments

• Third-Quarter Control: Kings led by 12 midway through the third, moving the ball fluidly through Sabonis.
• Fourth-Quarter Turnaround: Nuggets outscored Kings 32-17, forcing multiple turnovers.
• Jokić’s Leadership: Two key assists and a late jumper sealed momentum.
• Murray’s Dagger: His deep three with 45 seconds left ended the Kings’ comeback chances.

Player Highlights

• Nikola Jokić (DEN): 29 PTS, 11 REB, 9 AST — poised and clinical under pressure.
• Jamal Murray (DEN): 22 PTS with 4 threes.
• Domantas Sabonis (SAC): 24 PTS, 12 REB, strong but faded late.
• De’Aaron Fox (SAC): 19 PTS, struggled in clutch minutes.

What Went Wrong for the Kings

Sacramento lost rhythm in the last six minutes — rushed possessions, missed open shots, and failed defensive rotations. Denver capitalized on every lapse, showing why they’re the defending champs.

Reactions & Analysis

“We stayed calm. That’s what good teams do,” said Jokić post-game.

Kings coach Mike Brown admitted, “We let go of the rope when it mattered most.”

Fans on social media called it “a perfect example of championship composure” — praising Denver’s ability to close and criticizing Sacramento’s late-game focus.

Looking Forward

This win keeps Denver near the top of the Western standings, strengthening their playoff seeding. For Sacramento, the loss is another reminder — consistency in closing games separates good teams from great ones.

Sources

• NBA.com — Full Game Recap
• ESPN Game Summary
• Reuters — Nuggets rally past Kings
• The Athletic Analysis
• CBS Sports Box Score

Bottom Line

Denver didn’t just win — they reminded everyone why experience and patience matter most in crunch time. Sacramento will have to regroup fast if they want to stay relevant in the playoff race. No fancy drama, no big talk — just cold execution from the Nuggets, and a hard-learned lesson for the Kings.