The Denver Nuggets defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 104-91 on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, behind Nikola Jokic’s 21 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists. Denver built a 19-point first-quarter lead at Smoothie King Center, then held off New Orleans with a decisive fourth quarter to improve to 2-2.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

First Quarter: Nuggets Establish a 19-Point Lead

Denver took control early, outscoring New Orleans 37-18 in the opening period. Those 37 points represented the highest-scoring quarter by either team, giving the Nuggets a substantial cushion before the Pelicans began working their way back.

Second Quarter: Pelicans Reduce the Deficit

New Orleans responded with a 27-20 advantage in the second quarter. The Pelicans trimmed seven points off the deficit, but Denver still entered halftime ahead 57-45.

Third Quarter: New Orleans Gets Within Six

The Pelicans continued their recovery by outscoring the Nuggets 28-22 in the third. New Orleans won the middle two quarters by a combined 55-42, reducing Denver’s lead to 79-73 heading into the final period.

Fourth Quarter: Denver Pulls Away

Denver answered with a 25-18 fourth quarter to secure the 13-point victory. After allowing 55 points across the second and third periods, the Nuggets held New Orleans to 18 in the fourth, matching the Pelicans’ opening-quarter total.

Key Performers

  • Nikola Jokic, Nuggets: Delivered a triple-double with 21 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists, leading Denver in both rebounds and assists.
  • Jamal Murray, Nuggets: Led Denver’s scoring with 23 points, complementing Jokic’s all-around production.
  • Zion Williamson, Pelicans: Led all scorers with 25 points and added three steals.
  • Derik Queen, Pelicans: Collected a team-high 12 rebounds as New Orleans finished just one rebound behind Denver.
  • Dejounte Murray, Pelicans: Led New Orleans with five assists.

NerdSports Stat: Denver’s five additional made 3-pointers were worth 15 points—two more than its 13-point winning margin.

Game Analysis: Shooting and Ball Movement Separate Denver

The Nuggets’ shooting advantage helped them withstand New Orleans’ comeback. Denver finished 37-for-80 from the field, shooting 46.3%, while the Pelicans went 34-for-82 for 41.5%.

The difference was especially pronounced from beyond the arc. Denver made 12 of 31 attempts, good for 38.7%, compared with New Orleans’ 7-for-30 showing at 23.3%. The Nuggets also converted 18 of 19 free throws, while the Pelicans made 16 of 22.

Ball movement provided another clear distinction. Denver recorded 30 assists on 37 made baskets, with Jokic contributing 10. New Orleans finished with 20 assists on 34 field goals. Rebounding was much closer, with Denver holding a narrow 42-41 advantage.

The quarter-by-quarter pattern also mattered: Denver outscored New Orleans 62-36 across the first and fourth quarters. That strong opening and closing combination outweighed the Pelicans’ productive middle periods.

What the Result Means

Denver moved to 2-2 overall and 1-1 on the road, while New Orleans fell to 0-4 overall and 0-2 at home. The Pelicans have a quick turnaround, hosting the Sacramento Kings on Thursday, October 29, at 5:00 PM PDT. The Nuggets next host the Phoenix Suns on Friday, October 30, at 7:00 PM PDT, looking to move above .500.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the Denver Nuggets vs New Orleans Pelicans game on October 28, 2026?

The Denver Nuggets defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 104-91 on October 28, 2026.

How many points did Zion Williamson score?

Zion Williamson scored 25 points. His individual shooting percentage was not included in the supplied game statistics.

What are the Denver Nuggets’ standings after this game?

After the win, the Denver Nuggets sit at 2-2 in the Western Conference.

Who was the best player in the game?

Nikola Jokic was the standout performer with 21 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists.