The Denver Nuggets defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 123-118 on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at FedExForum, with Nikola Jokic delivering 27 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists. Jamal Murray led all scorers with 30 points as Denver held off Memphis after a 13-point halftime advantage narrowed to four entering the fourth quarter.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
First Quarter: Nuggets Establish an Early Advantage
Denver outscored Memphis 35-24 in the opening period, establishing an 11-point lead. That productive start gave the Nuggets a valuable cushion in a game that became considerably closer after halftime.
Second Quarter: Denver Extends Its Halftime Lead
The Nuggets added a 30-28 second-quarter advantage to take a 65-52 lead into the break. Denver scored at least 30 points in each of the first two quarters, while Memphis entered halftime needing to make up a double-digit deficit.
Third Quarter: Grizzlies Close the Gap
Memphis delivered its highest-scoring quarter of the night, outscoring Denver 38-29. The Grizzlies reduced the deficit by nine points and entered the fourth trailing just 94-90, putting themselves within reach despite the difficult opening half.
Fourth Quarter: Nuggets Hold Off Memphis
Denver edged Memphis 29-28 in the final period to secure the five-point road victory. The Grizzlies scored 66 second-half points to Denver’s 58, but their improvement after the break was not enough to overcome the Nuggets’ first-half advantage.
Key Performers
- Jamal Murray, Denver: Led all scorers with 30 points and added eight assists, matching Jokic for the team lead in assists.
- Nikola Jokic, Denver: Finished with 27 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists, providing scoring, rebounding and playmaking in the win.
- Ty Jerome, Memphis: Led the Grizzlies with 22 points and five assists.
- Cedric Coward, Memphis: Collected a team-high 11 rebounds, helping Memphis finish with a 42-37 rebounding advantage.
NerdSports Stat: Denver outscored Memphis 70-48 on two-point field goals. That 22-point advantage offset the Grizzlies’ combined 17-point edge from three-pointers and free throws, producing the exact five-point winning margin.
Game Analysis
Denver’s Field-Goal Production Makes the Difference
The Nuggets made 49 of 98 field-goal attempts, shooting 50.0%, compared with Memphis’ 41-of-89 performance at 46.1%. Denver finished with eight more made baskets and nine more attempts, providing enough offensive production to overcome disadvantages elsewhere.
Ball movement also stood out. Denver recorded 34 assists to Memphis’ 27, with Murray and Jokic combining for 16. Together, the pair contributed 57 points, accounting for nearly half of the Nuggets’ scoring.
Memphis Finds Advantages Beyond the Arc and at the Line
The Grizzlies made 17 of 41 three-point attempts, shooting 41.5%, while Denver went 14-for-38 at 36.8%. Memphis also converted 19 of 21 free throws, an efficient 90.5%, compared with Denver’s 11-for-16 showing at 68.8%.
Those advantages, along with five more rebounds, helped Memphis remain competitive. Ultimately, Denver’s stronger overall field-goal production and first-half lead outweighed the Grizzlies’ better three-point and free-throw results.
What the Result Means
Denver improved to 6-4 overall and 4-2 on the road, while Memphis moved to 7-4 overall and 2-4 at home. The Grizzlies next host the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, November 13, at 5:00 p.m. PST. The Nuggets return home to face the Phoenix Suns on Monday, November 16, at 6:00 p.m. PST.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Denver Nuggets defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 123-118 on November 11, 2026.
Jamal Murray scored 30 points. His individual shooting percentage was not included in the supplied game statistics.
After the win, the Denver Nuggets sit at 6-4 in the Western Conference. Their exact conference position was not provided.
Nikola Jokic was the standout performer with 27 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists, while Jamal Murray led all scorers with 30 points.
