The NBA is barely over a month into its 2023-24 regular season, yet due to a scheduling quirk, the Houston Rockets and Denver Nuggets have already met three times (with a fourth looming next week).
This time, on night two of a road back-to-back, it’s the Rockets who were more short-handed. Starting point guard Fred VanVleet (left thumb sprain) and reserve forward Jae’Sean Tate (left knee soreness) each missed their first game of the season with nagging injuries.
On the other side, Jamal Murray returned from a lengthy hamstring injury, which forced him to miss the earlier Denver-Houston games. Between that and a 30-point outburst by Michael Porter Jr., who made 7-of-12 from 3-point range (58.3%), it was enough for the Nuggets (13-6) to secure a 134-124 win (box score).
Perennial All-Star center and MVP candidate Nikola Jokic was dominant, as usual, with 32 points, 15 assists, and 10 rebounds, shooting 12-of-19 from the field (63.2%) on Wednesday night.
Yet, the Rockets (8-8) did have clear positives, starting with Jalen Green. The third-year shooting guard, who has largely struggled on the road this season, finished with 26 points and 9 assists while shooting an impressive 8-of-12 from the field (66.7%), 5-of-8 on 3-pointers (62.5%), and 5-of-6 on free throws (83.3%). Alperen Sengun added 22 points and 7 rebounds on 10-of-18 shooting (55.6%).
Here’s our look at highlights and postgame interviews after Wednesday’s game in Denver, along with reaction by media members and fans. The Los Angeles Lakers (10-8) are next up on Houston’s schedule, with Saturday’s road tipoff set for 9:30 p.m. Central.