The Denver Nuggets used a strong closing stretch Friday night at Ball Arena, outscoring the Toronto Raptors 36-21 in the fourth quarter to secure a 121-115 win. Denver trailed entering the final period after Toronto’s big third quarter, but Jamal Murray’s 31-point performance and Nikola Jokic’s all-around play helped the Nuggets take control late and protect home court in a game that swung sharply from period to period.
Quarter-by-quarter breakdown
First quarter: Toronto came out with the better offensive rhythm and took a 30-27 lead after one. The Raptors moved the ball well early and found efficient looks, setting the tone with 30 points in the opening 12 minutes while Denver stayed within striking distance.
Second quarter: The Nuggets answered in the second, winning the period 30-23 to even the game at 57-57 by halftime. Denver’s offense became more efficient, and the home team did enough to settle the pace after Toronto’s strong opening quarter.
Third quarter: The Raptors delivered their best stretch of the night in the third, putting up 41 points and reclaiming control. Toronto outscored Denver 41-28 in the period, creating a 98-85 advantage going into the fourth. The Raptors looked poised to take a difficult road win after generating consistent offense and keeping Denver from getting stops.
Fourth quarter: Denver flipped the game in the final 12 minutes. The Nuggets held Toronto to just 21 points while scoring 36 of their own, turning a 13-point deficit into a six-point win. That closing push was the difference, as Denver executed more cleanly on both ends and came away with one of its better late-game responses of the season.
Key performers
Jamal Murray, Nuggets: Murray led all scorers with 31 points and added six assists, providing the shot creation Denver needed, especially as the game tightened in the second half.
Nikola Jokic, Nuggets: Jokic finished with a team-high nine assists and eight rebounds, once again serving as Denver’s offensive organizer while helping the Nuggets maintain balance across the floor.
Jakob Poeltl, Raptors: Poeltl paced Toronto with 23 points and 11 rebounds, giving the Raptors an efficient interior presence and a steady source of production throughout the night.
Scottie Barnes, Raptors: Barnes led Toronto with eight assists and helped drive a team offense that finished with 32 assists, consistently creating opportunities for teammates.
Game analysis
This game came down to Denver’s efficiency and late-game execution. The Nuggets shot 54.3 percent from the field and 46.7 percent from three-point range, numbers that helped them recover from Toronto’s explosive third quarter. Denver also made 14 three-pointers compared with 10 for the Raptors, an important margin in a six-point game.
Toronto did a lot well offensively, finishing at 51.2 percent from the field with 32 assists and 115 points on the road. The Raptors also won the rebounding battle 40-38 and generated enough offense for long stretches to put real pressure on Denver. But the fourth quarter changed everything. After scoring 41 in the third, Toronto managed only 21 in the final period, and that slowdown opened the door for the Nuggets to complete the comeback.
For Denver, the turnaround was about composure as much as shot-making. The Nuggets did not let the third-quarter deficit decide the game, and their 36-point fourth reflected cleaner possessions, better spacing, and timely production from their lead creators. In a matchup between two teams with winning records, Denver’s ability to finish stood out most.
Closing context
The win moved Denver to 43-28 overall and 20-13 at home, an important result as the Western Conference playoff race continues to tighten. Toronto dropped to 39-30, including 20-14 on the road, after seeing a strong three-quarter effort slip away. If these teams meet again down the line, Friday’s game will stand as a reminder of how quickly momentum can shift when one side controls the final quarter.
