The Nuggets (17-6) are having the best start in franchise history.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Jamal Murray contributed 34 points, while Nikola Jokic recorded 28 points, 11 assists, and nine rebounds as the Denver Nuggets secured a 115-106 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday night, marking a franchise-record 10-game road winning streak.
Tim Hardaway Jr. added 14 points from the bench for the Nuggets, who continue to enjoy their best start ever.
Miles Bridges led the Hornets with 24 points, while Brandon Miller chipped in with 16. The Hornets were short-handed, missing six players due to injuries, including their top two point guards, LaMelo Ball and Collin Sexton. Rookie Liam McNeeley provided a spark off the bench with a career-high 13 points, sinking 4 of 5 3-pointers.
Murray, who scored 52 points last week against Indiana, started strong with 23 points in the first quarter. However, the Nuggets found themselves trailing 58-57 at halftime.
The dynamics shifted in the second half as Jokic began to dominate, showcasing his ability to both score and facilitate for his teammates.
The Nuggets built a 13-point lead in the fourth quarter, but the Hornets (7-17) fought back to reduce the gap to seven points after Miller hit a 3-pointer and completed a three-point play. Despite this momentum, the Hornets couldn’t capitalize further.
In other games, New York defeated Orlando with Jalen Brunson scoring 30 points, and Boston overcame Toronto, led by Jaylen Brown’s 30 points, managing to hold on despite a late surge from the Raptors.
