The Denver Nuggets pulled off a gritty, come-from-behind 112-109 victory over the Houston Rockets on Friday night, November 21, 2025, at the Toyota Center in Houston, turning a 12-point deficit into a statement win in the NBA CupToyota Center. It wasn’t just another regular-season game — it was a microcosm of the Western Conference’s brutal playoff race, decided by free throws, clutch shooting, and one of the most complete performances of the year from Nikola Jokić, the reigning MVP from Serbia.
A Game That Turned on One Run
Trailing 92-87 with just over nine minutes left, the Nuggets looked like they were running out of gas. The Rockets, riding a five-game winning streak, had built momentum with a 37-point second quarter led by rookie Reed Sheppard, who dropped 20 points in the first half on 8-for-11 shooting. But then came the turnaround. Denver went on a 20-9 run, fueled by Jokić’s passing and Jamal Murray’s ice-in-his-veins playmaking. Murray, the Canadian guard, finished with 26 points and 10 assists, including two critical free throws with 23 seconds left to push the lead to six. The Rockets clawed back — Jabari Smith Jr. buried a three with five seconds left to make it 110-109. But Jokić, calm as ever, sank two more free throws with 2.7 seconds remaining. The final hope? A halfcourt heave from Alperen Şengün. It missed. Game over.Jokić’s Quiet Dominance
Jokić’s stat line — 34 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists — looks like a triple-double that got away. But what’s more telling is how he did it. He shot 11 of 20 from the field, including four three-pointers, and scored 24 of his 34 points in the second half. He didn’t force shots. He didn’t trash-talk. He just operated — passing to open men, drawing double teams, then hitting the open jumper. The Rockets threw everything at him: zone, switch-everything, physicality. Nothing worked. He’s not just the best center in basketball — he’s the most efficient playmaker in NBA history. And he did it while playing 38 minutes, no visible fatigue.Rockets’ Star Power Falls Short
Houston’s effort was heroic. Reed Sheppard, the Kentucky rookie, posted a career-high 27 points on 5-for-8 from deep. Amen Thompson, the 21-year-old guard, added 22 points and seven rebounds. Jabari Smith Jr. nearly had a double-double with 21 points and 11 boards. Even Kevin Durant, 36 and clearly not 100%, chipped in 13 points. But the Rockets couldn’t match Denver’s cohesion. They shot 44% from the field — respectable, but not enough against a team that shot 53%. And their bench, led by Tim Hardaway Jr., delivered 12 points for Denver. Houston’s depth didn’t show up when it mattered.
Standings Shifts and Playoff Implications
The win improved the Nuggets to 12-3 overall and 2-1 in the NBA Cup, solidifying their hold on second place in the Western Conference behind the Oklahoma City Thunder (16-1). The Rockets, once 10-3, fell to 10-4 — still a strong record, but now with momentum gone. Their five-game win streak? Snapped. Their path to the Cup semifinals? Narrower. Both teams have one game left in the tournament. Denver heads to Golden State Warriors on November 26, 2025. Houston hosts the San Antonio Spurs on November 28. These aren’t just tune-ups — they’re seeding deciders.Confusion in the Highlights
Oddly enough, the Nuggets’ own YouTube channel posted a highlight reel titled “Nikola Jokić NEAR Triple-Double” — and claimed he had 19 rebounds. That’s not just wrong — it’s wildly off. The official box score, ESPN, and the Houston Chronicle all confirm 10. It’s a small error, but in the age of viral clips, misinformation spreads faster than facts. The league’s stats team needs to audit these channels before they go live.
What’s Next?
The Nuggets are now 12-4 (.750), and with Jokić playing like this, they’re the most dangerous team in the West when it matters most. The Rockets? They’re still good — but they’re learning how to win the close ones. They have the talent. They just need the finish. And if they don’t figure it out before the playoffs, their early-season promise could fade under pressure.Frequently Asked Questions
How did Nikola Jokić manage to carry the Nuggets despite being double-teamed?
Jokić’s genius lies in his vision and patience. Even when doubled, he found open shooters like Jamal Murray and Tim Hardaway Jr. with pinpoint passes. His ability to shoot from deep (4-of-6 on threes) forced defenses to respect him beyond the arc, opening driving lanes. He didn’t force shots — he waited for the defense to break, then exploited it. That’s why his 34 points came on just 20 attempts.
Why did the Rockets lose despite Reed Sheppard’s breakout performance?
Sheppard’s 27 points were impressive, but Houston’s offense stalled in the fourth quarter. After their 37-point second quarter, they scored just 60 combined in the final two quarters. The Rockets relied too heavily on isolation plays and didn’t move the ball effectively late. Jokić’s defense on the perimeter and Denver’s team rebounding — especially on the defensive glass — limited Houston’s second-chance opportunities.
What does this win mean for Denver’s NBA Cup chances?
With a 2-1 record, the Nuggets are in strong position to advance to the Cup semifinals. They’ll face the Golden State Warriors on November 26 — a tough road test. But if they win, they’ll likely finish first in their group. Winning the Cup gives a team a seeding boost in the playoffs, and with Jokić playing at this level, Denver is a legitimate contender.
Is Kevin Durant still effective at 36 years old?
Yes — but not at his peak. Durant scored 13 points on 5-of-12 shooting, showing flashes of his scoring brilliance but lacking his usual explosiveness. He’s now playing 28 minutes per game, a significant drop from his prime. The Rockets are managing his load, but his ability to close games remains elite — he made two clutch baskets in the fourth quarter. His value now is more about leadership and spacing than volume scoring.
How does this game compare to other late-game comebacks in NBA history?
This comeback — trailing by five with nine minutes left and winning by three — mirrors classic Denver runs from 2023, when they overcame deficits against Phoenix and Sacramento. But unlike those games, this one didn’t rely on three-point barrages. Instead, it was Jokić’s mid-range mastery and Murray’s poise under pressure. It’s less flashy than the 2016 Cavs’ 3-1 comeback, but more consistent with the modern NBA’s emphasis on elite playmaking over pure shooting.
What’s the biggest takeaway for the Western Conference?
The West is a minefield. The Thunder are unbeaten, but the Nuggets just proved they can win close games without their best three-point shooters hitting. The Rockets, Lakers, and Suns are all within two games of each other. This game showed that in the West, it’s not just about stars — it’s about composure, depth, and execution in the final minutes. Denver has all three.
