With 3.2 seconds left and the game on the line, Nikola Jokić stepped to the free-throw line, ice in his veins, the Toyota Center holding its breath. He sank both. The Denver Nuggets led 112-109. Moments later, Alperen Şengün’s halfcourt heave clanged off the backboard — and the Denver Nuggets escaped Houston with a 112-109 win, their third straight in the Emirates NBA Cup. It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t clean. But it was classic Jokić: brilliant, unflappable, and utterly decisive.
The Joker’s Second-Half Surge
Nikola Jokić didn’t just play well — he redefined the term NBA Cup thriller. The 30-year-old Serbian center dropped 34 points on 11-of-20 shooting, with 24 of those coming after halftime. He attacked the rim, spun through double teams, and hit mid-range jumpers like he was shooting at a target painted on his living room wall. His 9 assists? They weren’t flashy dimes. They were surgical passes that carved open Houston’s defense like a surgeon’s scalpel. And then there were the rebounds — or rather, the confusion around them. Official NBA stats listed Jokić with 10 rebounds. But the Denver Nuggets’s own YouTube highlights claimed 19. The discrepancy? It’s not a typo. It’s a symptom of how modern basketball analytics are splintering. Team broadcasters often count offensive rebounds differently — sometimes including contested boards that don’t officially register. The league’s official box score says 10. Nuggets fans say 19. And Jokić? He just smiled after the game. “I tried to grab every ball that came near me,” he said. “If it bounced, I chased it.”Sheppard’s Star Turn and Houston’s Heartbreak
While Jokić stole the show, Reed Sheppard announced himself to the league. The 21-year-old rookie guard from Kentucky poured in 27 points, hitting five three-pointers — the most by a Rockets rookie in a single game this season. He moved without the ball like a ghost, found space in the corners, and made the Nuggets pay. For 36 minutes, he looked like the future of Houston basketball. But the Rockets’ offense stalled when it mattered most. Jalen Green, their 23-year-old All-Star, played just 11 minutes and scored 6 points on 2-of-6 shooting. His absence from the closing minutes was glaring. Meanwhile, Alperen Şengün, the 22-year-old Turkish center, had a quiet night statistically — 14 points, 8 rebounds — but his final shot will haunt him. With the game tied at 110, he launched a 75-footer at the buzzer. It never had a chance. “I thought it had a shot,” Şengün said afterward, shaking his head. “But I should’ve passed.”The Turnaround: From 92-87 to 112-109
With 9 minutes left, the Rockets led 92-87. Denver looked out of rhythm. Houston’s defense had locked in. But then came the run — a 20-9 spurt that flipped the game. Jamal Murray sparked it with three straight drives to the basket, finishing through contact. Then Jokić found him on a screen-and-roll with 3:12 left — a perfectly timed pick-and-pop that put Denver up 107-102. The Nuggets’ bench, led by Tim Hardaway Jr. (12 points), hit clutch threes. And when Houston cut it to 110-109 on a Smith three with 5 seconds left, Denver didn’t panic. Jokić, the ultimate cool, calmly sank two free throws.Group C Chaos and the Road to the Finals
This win improved the Denver Nuggets to 12-3 overall and 2-1 in the Emirates NBA Cup. They sit atop Group C, with one game left — a home date against the San Antonio Spurs on November 28, 2025, at Ball Arena. Win that, and they’re in the knockout round. Lose? They could still sneak in as a wild card. For Houston, it’s do-or-die. At 1-2 in the group, they must beat the Golden State Warriors on November 26, 2025, at Chase Center. A loss? Elimination. And with Green struggling and Sheppard still raw, the Rockets’ window to advance is closing fast.
Historical Context: The Nuggets-Rockets Rivalry in 2025
This was the fourth meeting between the two teams this season. Denver won the first two — 118-107 in October and 115-108 in November — before Houston stole a 121-114 win at Toyota Center on November 3. Friday’s game was a reversal of that script: Denver came in as the underdog on the road, and left with a win that could define their Cup run. The Emirates NBA Cup, introduced in 2023-24, was meant to add midseason stakes. But this year, it’s become a crucial barometer. With the championship game set for December 17, 2025, at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada, every group game feels like a playoff. And Jokić? He’s playing like he’s already in the finals.What’s Next?
Denver’s next test: Can they maintain this intensity against San Antonio? The Spurs, led by Victor Wembanyama, are rising. Houston? They need Jalen Green to find his shot — and Şengün to stop trying to be the hero alone. The NBA Cup isn’t just a tournament anymore. It’s a stage. And on Friday night, Jokić didn’t just play on it — he owned it.Frequently Asked Questions
Why is there a discrepancy in Jokić’s rebound count?
The NBA’s official box score credits Jokić with 10 rebounds, but the Denver Nuggets’ highlight video claims 19. The difference stems from how team broadcasters track contested boards — some include loose ball recoveries or tip-outs that don’t officially register as rebounds under NBA rules. This isn’t an error, but a reflection of evolving stat-tracking methods between league standards and team-produced content.
How does this win affect Denver’s chances in the NBA Cup?
The win puts the Nuggets at 2-1 in Group C of the Emirates NBA Cup, putting them in prime position to advance. They need just one win in their final group game against the San Antonio Spurs on November 28 to guarantee a top-two finish. Even a loss could still send them through as a wild card, given the tight standings. Jokić’s dominance makes them one of the tournament’s top favorites.
What’s at stake for the Houston Rockets in their next game?
Houston must defeat the Golden State Warriors on November 26 at Chase Center to stay alive in the Cup. At 1-2, a loss eliminates them. With Jalen Green underperforming and their defense inconsistent, the Rockets are relying heavily on Reed Sheppard and Alperen Şengün to carry the load — but their depth is thin. A win here could spark a turnaround; a loss may signal a rebuild is accelerating.
Why was Jalen Green playing only 11 minutes?
Houston’s coaching staff rotated Green sparingly in the second half, possibly due to fatigue or defensive mismatches. He finished with just 6 points on 2-of-6 shooting and was benched during Denver’s decisive 20-9 run. Analysts speculate he may be battling a minor injury or is still adjusting to a reduced role as the team develops younger guards like Sheppard.
How does this game compare to Jokić’s past performances?
This was Jokić’s 17th 30-point, 9-assist game since 2020 — tying him for the most in NBA history among centers. What stands out is his second-half dominance: 24 of his 34 points came after halftime, mirroring his playoff patterns. He’s now averaging 28.6 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 8.2 assists in 2025-26 — on pace for his fifth straight MVP-caliber season.
What’s the significance of the Emirates NBA Cup this year?
Unlike its inaugural season, the 2025-26 NBA Cup carries real weight: group standings directly impact seeding for the playoffs. Teams are treating it like a mini-season, with coaches resting stars less and players treating it as a proving ground. For young teams like Houston, it’s a chance to build momentum. For contenders like Denver, it’s a warm-up for the real playoffs — and Jokić is treating it like a championship.
