Nikola Jokic scored 47 points, including a go-ahead 3-pointer late in the second overtime, and the Denver Nuggets rallied to beat the Memphis Grizzlies 139-137 on Monday night.
Jokic added 15 rebounds and eight assists, Will Barton scored 28 and Michael Porter Jr. 21 for the shorthanded Nuggets. Denver played without its top two point guards -- Jamal Murray, who has a torn ACL in his left knee and Monte Morris.
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Nikola Jokic scored 47 points, including a go-ahead 3-pointer late in the second overtime, and the Denver Nuggets rallied to beat the Memphis Grizzlies 139-137 on Monday night.
Morris recently missed 11 games with a left quad injury but returned April 4 and played eight games. He hurt his left hamstring in Friday night’s win at Houston and will likely miss multiple games, coach Michael Malone said before the game against the Grizzlies.
Morant gave the Grizzlies the lead in the second overtime with a 3-pointer and Kyle Anderson hit two free throws to make it 132-129. Porter tied it with a 3-pointer and then Jokic’s shot from the top of the circle gave Denver a 137-134 lead with 42 seconds left.
Morant scored all nine points for Memphis in the first overtime but Barton’s 3-pointer late sent the game to a second overtime.
Nuggets: Former Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning was in attendance. ... The Nuggets had 15 turnovers in the first half and finished with a season high 23.
Nuggets: At the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night.
Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., right, blocks a shot by Memphis Grizzlies guard John Konchar in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, April 19, 2021, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)
Morris recently missed 11 games with a left quad injury but returned April 4 and played eight games. He hurt his left hamstring in Friday night’s win at Houston and will likely miss multiple games, coach Michael Malone said before the game against the Grizzlies.
Memphis was without Dillon Brooks due to left thigh soreness and Jonas Valanciunas, who suffered a concussion Saturday night.
Ja Morant had 36 points and 12 assists, De’Anthony Melton had 25 points off the bench and Grayson Allen added 24 points for Memphis. The Grizzlies lost for just the second time in their last eight road games
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant, right, drives to the rim past Denver Nuggets forward Will Barton, left, in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, April 19, 2021, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)
Morant gave the Grizzlies the lead in the second overtime with a 3-pointer and Kyle Anderson hit two free throws to make it 132-129. Porter tied it with a 3-pointer and then Jokic’s shot from the top of the circle gave Denver a 137-134 lead with 42 seconds left.
Allen missed at the other end and P.J. Dozier iced it with two free throws.
The Grizzlies led by 12 with 3:52 left but Denver rallied to tie it on two free throws by Jokic with 20 seconds left. Allen missed a 3-pointer at the end of regulation to send it to overtime.
Memphis Grizzlies guard De'Anthony Melton, right, picks up the ball as Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. pursues in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, April 19, 2021, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)
Morant scored all nine points for Memphis in the first overtime but Barton’s 3-pointer late sent the game to a second overtime.
TIP-INS
Grizzlies: Xavier Tillman had 18 points and 14 rebounds. ... Brandon Clarke had missed two games with right hip soreness and Melton was out eight games with left leg soreness. Justise Winslow missed 12 games with soreness in his right thigh.
Memphis Grizzlies forward Justise Winslow, front, drives to the basket past Denver Nuggets forward Paul Millsap in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, April 19, 2021, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)
Nuggets: Former Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning was in attendance. ... The Nuggets had 15 turnovers in the first half and finished with a season high 23.
UP NEXT
Grizzlies: At the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant, right, steals the ball from Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, April 19, 2021, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)
Nuggets: At the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant, right, loses the ball to Denver Nuggets guard Facundo Campazzo in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, April 19, 2021, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)