Key Takeaways:
- Nikola Jokic produced 28 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds for a triple-double on Wednesday night
- Peyton Watson scored a career-high 32 points as Denver secured its eighth win in nine matches
- Zion Williamson returned from injury for the Pelicans, who suffered their seventh consecutive defeat
Nuggets Hold Off Late Pelicans Rally
Nikola Jokic delivered a commanding performance with 28 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds, leading the Denver Nuggets to a 125-118 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night. Peyton Watson reached a personal milestone by scoring 32 points, a career-best, as Denver continued their impressive form with an eighth victory in nine outings. Jamal Murray contributed 14 points and made a key pair of free throws with 31 seconds remaining to help seal the win.
BACK IN THE W COLUMN#MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/LoUrBsjhfS
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) November 20, 2025
The Pelicans welcomed Zion Williamson back into their line-up after he missed eight games due to a left hamstring problem. Williamson played 29 minutes and recorded 14 points. Despite his return, New Orleans slipped to a seventh straight loss, remaining winless in three games under interim coach James Borrego.
Pelicans’ Rising Talent Impress Despite Defeat
Rookie centre Derik Queen stood out for New Orleans, starting opposite Jokic and registering a season-high 30 points along with nine rebounds. Queen also played a disruptive role defensively, helping force Jokic into nine turnovers and ultimately contributing to Jokic’s disqualification after picking up his sixth foul with 2:44 left in the game. Trey Murphy III added 23 points to the Pelicans’ cause.
Emerging guard Jeremiah Fears put in another notable effort, scoring 16 points to continue his run of hitting double figures in all but one of his 15 appearances this season.
Game Flow and Momentum Shifts
The Pelicans began strongly, building a 13-point advantage in the first quarter as Herb Jones knocked down a three-pointer to make it 23-10. However, Denver steadily diminished the deficit and claimed the lead for good late in the second quarter when Watson’s three-pointer made it 51-49 with 3:02 to go before half-time. The Nuggets held a 62-58 lead at the break.
Watson was instrumental at the start of the second half, pouring in 11 points within the first six minutes as Denver extended the gap to 81-70. Jokic then sparked a dominant spell, scoring with a putback layup, a 7-foot pull-up jumper, and a three-pointer to widen the margin to 93-76. Despite trailing by as many as 19 points, New Orleans narrowed the difference to single digits in the closing stages, but Jonas Valanciunas, who tallied 14 points for Denver, delivered two critical jump shots to stave off the Pelicans’ comeback attempt.
| Team | Top Scorer | Rebounds Leader | Assists Leader | Record in Last 10 Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver Nuggets | Peyton Watson (32) | Payton Watson (12) | Nikola Jokic (12) | 8-2 |
| New Orleans Pelicans | Derik Queen (30) | Derik Queen (9) | Zion Williamson (5) | 2-8 |
What’s Next
Denver will travel to face the Houston Rockets on Friday night as part of NBA Cup West Group C action. The New Orleans Pelicans are set to visit the Dallas Mavericks on the same night in NBA Cup West Group B play.
