If you were looking for the Denver game today score, you likely caught the tail end of the Nuggets' late-night clash with the Dallas Mavericks. Denver walked away with a 118-109 victory, but the final digits on the scoreboard barely scratch the surface of what went down at the American Airlines Center.
Basketball is a game of runs, but this one felt like a rollercoaster.
The Nuggets didn't just win; they survived a massive second-half push after a weird, somewhat unsettling injury to the league's newest sensation, Cooper Flagg. It’s the kind of game that leaves fans relieved but also a little bit "vibes-based" regarding the health of the league's stars.
How Jamal Murray Took Over in Dallas
Jamal Murray was basically a flamethrower.
He finished with 33 points, and honestly, it felt like more. There is a specific version of Murray—the "Blue Arrow" version—where every high-arcing jumper feels destined to hit nothing but the bottom of the net. He was 12-of-18 from the floor, including a back-breaking three-pointer during a 13-2 run in the fourth quarter that effectively slammed the door on Dallas.
For much of the first half, Denver looked like they were going to turn the game into a blowout. They held a massive 23-point lead at one point. But as we've seen with this Nuggets squad recently, they occasionally let their foot off the gas.
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Dallas, even without their star rookie for the second half, managed to trim that lead down to just five points early in the fourth. Ryan Nembhard hit a deep three that had the Dallas crowd screaming. It felt like a collapse was coming. Then, Murray and the veteran Tim Hardaway Jr. (a former Maverick himself) decided enough was enough. Hardaway answered with a triple of his own, and the momentum shifted back to the visitors for good.
The Cooper Flagg Injury: What Happened?
The mood in the arena shifted significantly with about six minutes left in the second quarter.
Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick and the guy everyone is watching this season, stumbled while defending Denver’s Peyton Watson. It looked like a standard trip, but he limped off the court with a sprained left ankle.
He actually came back! He played the final two and a half minutes of the first half, which usually suggests a "walk it off" situation. But when the teams emerged for the third quarter, Flagg was nowhere to be found. The Mavericks officially ruled him out shortly after.
Before he went down, he had six points in 15 minutes. It wasn't his most dominant showing, but his absence definitely changed the gravity of the Dallas offense.
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The Supporting Cast Stepped Up
While Murray grabbed the headlines, Denver’s win was a total team effort.
- Aaron Gordon: Finished with 22 points and provided that physical "bully ball" presence Denver needs when Nikola Jokic isn't shouldering the entire scoring load.
- Peyton Watson: Put up 18 points. His length on defense is becoming a nightmare for opposing wings.
- Tim Hardaway Jr.: Scored 12, including that crucial fourth-quarter bucket that quelled the Mavs' comeback.
Dallas struggled because they couldn't find their rhythm from deep. They shot a season-worst 14.7% from three-point range. You just aren't going to beat a team like Denver hitting only 5 of 34 from the arc. It’s basically math at that point. Naji Marshall tried to carry the load with 24 points, and Brandon Williams chipped in 20, but the lack of perimeter shooting was a death sentence.
Looking Ahead: The Broncos are Next
While the Nuggets are flying back to Colorado with a "W," the city is already pivoting.
If you are checking for a Denver game today score on Saturday, January 17th, you're going to be looking at the gridiron. The Denver Broncos are set to host the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Divisional Round.
This is huge. It’s the first home playoff game at Empower Field at Mile High in a decade. The last time this happened, Peyton Manning was under center in 2016. Now, it’s Bo Nix’s turn to face off against Josh Allen.
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The Broncos finished the regular season at 14-3, earning the No. 1 seed. They are currently 1.5-point favorites according to most sportsbooks. After the Bills thrashed Denver 31-7 in the playoffs last year, this isn't just a game; it's a grudge match. Sean Payton has been vocal about wanting this home-field advantage, and he finally got it.
Actionable Takeaways for Denver Fans
If you're following the Nuggets' momentum or prepping for the Broncos' playoff run, here is what you need to keep an eye on:
- Monitor the Nuggets’ Bench: The scoring from Watson and Gordon is great, but consistency is the issue. Watch if the second unit can maintain leads without Murray on the floor.
- Broncos Injury Report: Keep a close eye on the secondary. Facing Josh Allen requires a healthy backfield, especially with the way Buffalo likes to stretch the field.
- The Flagg Effect: If you’re a fantasy manager or just a fan of the game, watch the Mavs' injury updates. Ankle sprains can linger, and the league is better when the top rookies are healthy.
- Weather Factor: Saturday’s forecast in Denver will matter. While Bo Nix is used to the elements, playoff football in the Mile High air is a different beast for visiting kickers and quarterbacks.
The Nuggets proved they could handle a hostile road environment and a desperate comeback attempt. Now, the pressure shifts to the grass. Denver is currently the center of the sports world, and the next 48 hours are going to be wild.
To stay ahead of the curve, make sure your streaming apps are updated for the Saturday afternoon kickoff at 4:30 PM ET on CBS.