Jamal Murray scored 34 points and Nikola Jokic added 28 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds as the Denver Nuggets held off the Charlotte Hornets 115-106 on Sunday night, extending their franchise-record road winning streak to 10 games.
Tim Hardaway Jr. contributed 14 points off the bench, helping Denver improve to 17-6, their best start in team history.
Miles Bridges led the Hornets with 24 points while Brandon Miller added 16, and rookie Liam McNeeley chipped in a career-high 13 points, connecting on 4 of 5 from three. Charlotte played without six players due to injuries, including their top two point guards, LaMelo Ball and Collin Sexton. The Hornets outrebounded Denver 47-35 but couldn’t overcome the Nuggets’ late-game execution.
Murray erupted for 23 first-quarter points, but Denver trailed 58-57 at halftime. Jokic took control in the second half, using his scoring and playmaking to build a 13-point lead in the fourth quarter. Charlotte cut the lead to seven late, but could not complete the comeback. Murray finished 14 of 25 from the field, scoring just nine points after halftime.
Denver will visit the Kings on Thursday, while Charlotte hosts the Bulls on Friday.
