Murray and Jokic Shine as Nuggets Fall to Rockets

Denver entered Monday’s game with questions about player availability, but its full starting lineup was available. The Nuggets had won four of their previous five games, yet struggled in Houston and lost by 10 points.

Murray led all scorers with 38 points, shooting 14-for-23 from the field and 5-for-8 from three-point range. Since scoring six points in the season opener, he has averaged 28.3 points and six assists across eight games, and has reached at least 35 points in four of Denver’s nine games.

Jokic added 25 points, 16 rebounds, nine assists and two blocks, making 11 of 21 shots. His production has improved after a slow start, though he was 1-for-5 from beyond the arc. Denver’s record stood at 5-4 after the loss.

The rest of the lineup offered little support. Aaron Gordon scored three points on 1-for-6 shooting and had five rebounds, two assists and three turnovers. Gordon, Christian Braun and Cameron Johnson together scored 15 points; no other Denver player besides Murray and Jokic scored in double figures. No Nuggets reserve made a three-pointer.

Rebounding was another weakness: Denver collected 39 boards to Houston’s 51. Jokic had 16, while his teammates combined for 23. Denver ranked 21st in rebounds per game entering the matchup and had lost the rebounding battle more often than it had won it. The team will need to show the Houston performance was an exception.