Key Takeaways:
- Brandon Miller tallied 23 points as Charlotte overpowered Denver 110-87
- The Nuggets, missing five of their top eight scorers, were restricted to a season-low 87 points
- Jamal Murray’s 16 points ended his streak of three straight games with 30 or more
Miller Leads the Charge in Denver
Brandon Miller delivered an outstanding performance on Sunday night in Denver, posting 23 points to help the Charlotte Hornets secure a commanding 110-87 triumph over the Denver Nuggets. Miller notched 18 of his points before half-time, converting four of his first six attempts from beyond the arc. Over the Hornets’ last three games, the forward has averaged 25.7 points per contest.
fav way to close out a trip 😄 #HiveMentality pic.twitter.com/V3LpqtOLbV
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) January 19, 2026
Hornets Capitalise on Denver’s Absences
Charlotte benefited from significant absences within the Nuggets roster. Denver was forced to compete without five of its primary eight scorers: Nikola Jokic (bone bruise in left knee), Aaron Gordon (right hamstring strain), Cameron Johnson (bone bruise in right knee), Christian Braun (left ankle sprain), and Jonas Valanciunas (right calf strain). Collectively, these players have averaged 77.3 points per game.
Without their key contributors, the Nuggets – who lead the NBA in points per game, field goal percentage, and three-point percentage – struggled to gain offensive traction. They finished with just 87 points and posted a three-point accuracy of only 21.1%, both season-worst figures.
Dominant First Half Sets the Tone
The Hornets established momentum early, surging to a 29-11 advantage and stretching their lead to 60-34 by the interval. Miller’s early scoring spree and efficient perimeter shooting set the visitors firmly in control. Charlotte’s margin would grow to as much as 33 points in the second half as they maintained pressure on both ends of the floor.
| Player | Team | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Steals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon Miller | Hornets | 23 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Tidjane Salaun | Hornets | 13 | 11 | 2 | 0 |
| Ryan Kalkbrenner | Hornets | 17 | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| Collin Sexton | Hornets | 14 | 2 | 5 | 1 |
| LaMelo Ball | Hornets | 10 | 1 | 6 | 3 |
| Jamal Murray | Nuggets | 16 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Context and What’s Next
Charlotte entered the fixture having lost four of its previous six encounters and stood at 1-9 in its last ten games against Denver. The Nuggets, meanwhile, were dealt their second-heaviest defeat of the campaign and have now accumulated a 7-5 record since Nikola Jokic sustained his injury during their defeat to the Miami Heat on 29 December.
After concluding a five-game road swing, the Hornets will return home to host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night. The Nuggets are set to welcome the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night.
