Jamal Murray, Peyton Watson help Nuggets hold off a late push by Grizzlies for 125-115 victory

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Jamal Murray had 29 points and eight assists, Peyton Watson scored 14 of his 27 points in the third quarter, and the Denver Nuggets held off a late push by Memphis, defeating the Grizzlies 125-115 on Monday night.

Nikola Jokic recorded his 10th triple-double of the season with 17 points, 16 assists and 10 rebounds for Denver, which has won three of four.

Jock Landale, playing extended minutes because of an injury to Zach Edey, matched his career best with 26 points and had 10 rebounds for Memphis. Jaylen Wells finished with 22 points and Cam Spencer added 18.

Memphis was within 114-108 with six minutes left when Murray connected on a pair of 3-pointers. A basket by Tim Hardaway Jr. (13 points) with 2:23 left took the lead to 119-108.

Murray shot 6 of 9 from beyond the arc, and the Nuggets were 22 of 43 (51.2%) on 3s.

The Nuggets were missing two starters — Christian Braun, out with a left ankle sprain, and Aaron Gordon, who is dealing with a right hamstring strain that could keep him out of action at least a month. Together they account for about 20 points a game.

The Grizzlies are playing without most of their primary point guards, including Ja Morant, who missed his fourth straight game with a right calf strain. Edey left in the first half Monday with a head injury and did not return.

Denver's tough defense contributed to Memphis converting only 40% of its shots in the first half, giving the Nuggets a 62-54 lead at the break. Memphis made a dent in the third quarter, but Watson helped the Nuggets lead 93-85 entering the fourth, with the final points coming on a half-court buzzer-beater by Jokic.

Nuggets: Host San Antonio on Friday.

Grizzlies: At New Orleans on Wednesday to begin a four-game trip.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward (23) center Zach Edey, second from right, and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic reach for the ball in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 24, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Denver Nuggets forward Spencer Jones (21) and Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaylen Wells (0) reach for the ball in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 24, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) handles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 24, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Denver Nuggets forward Spencer Jones (21) reaches for the ball ahead of Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward and guard Vince Williams Jr. in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 24, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) handles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaylen Wells (0) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 24, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Kyle Busch died after severe pneumonia progressed into sepsis, resulting in rapid and overwhelming associated complications, according to a statement released by his family.

Dakota Hunter, vice president of Kyle Busch Companies, said in a news release the family received the medical evaluation on Saturday.

Busch, a two-time NASCAR champion, died at 41 on Thursday, a day after passing out in a Chevrolet simulator.

Sepsis is considered a life-threatening medical emergency that occurs when the body has an extreme, overactive response to an infection, causing the immune system to damage its own tissues and organs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Typically the immune system releases chemicals to fight off pathogens like bacteria, viruses or fungi, but with sepsis the response goes into overdrive. The results can cause widespread inflammation, form microscopic blood clots and make blood vessels leak.

Busch was thought to have had a sinus cold while racing at Watkins Glen on May 10 and radioed in to his team saying that he needed a “shot” from a doctor after the race.

However, he bounced back to win the Trucks Series race at Dover last weekend, and then he finished 17th in the All-Star race on Sunday.

Busch, who was preparing to race Sunday at the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, was testing in the Chevrolet racing simulator in Concord on Wednesday when he became unresponsive and was transported to a hospital in Charlotte, several people familiar with the situation told The Associated Press.

During the emergency call placed late that afternoon, an unidentified caller calmly told the dispatch: “I’ve got an individual that’s (got) shortness of breath, very hot, thinks he’s going to pass out, and is producing a little bit of blood, coughing up some blood.”

The caller said Busch was lying on the bathroom floor inside the complex and told dispatch “he is awake,” according to audio provided by the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office. The man then gave directions on where emergency responders should go and asked that they turn off any sirens upon arrival.

NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski said he knew Busch wasn’t feeling well recently.

“Yes, but I won’t go into any specifics," Keselowski said. “But then when he ran the Truck race last week, those (thoughts) were honestly kind of erased in my mind.”

Keselowski said running multiple races on the same weekend can be difficult on a driver's health — but most don't want to miss a race for fear of being replaced.

“There’s no shortage of drivers that would love to take my seat or anybody else’s seat if we weren’t feeling well, and I think every driver feels that pressure,” Keselowski said. “All athletes do. It’s not unique to NASCAR in that sense. We’re all thinking to ourselves, ‘I don’t wanna be replaced.’ ... So you try to power through it the best you can."

Busch won 234 races across NASCAR’s top three series over his two-decade career, more than any driver in history.

All 39 drivers in the field for Sunday’s race will race with a black No. 8 decal on their car to honor Busch.

AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing

An in memoriam photo of former driver Kyle Busch is displayed on the video board of the backstretch at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Friday, May 22, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley)

FILE - Kyle Busch waits for the start of a NASCAR Xfinity Series auto race Saturday, June 19, 2021, in Lebanon, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)