Jokic scores 39 points as Nuggets use big fourth quarter to rally for 134-133 win over Hawks

ATLANTA (AP) — Nikola Jokic scored 39 points and the Denver Nuggets rallied from 23 points down with a big fourth quarter to beat the Atlanta Hawks 134-133 on Friday night.

Jamal Murray had 23 points and 12 assists, and Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 17 points for the Nuggets, who have won nine straight road games.

The Hawks had a chance for a tying 3-pointer on their final possession, but Murray blocked the attempt by Nickeil Alexander-Walker. The loose ball led to a layup by Alexander-Walker with 2 seconds left, and the Nuggets quickly inbounded the ball and ran out the clock.

Jalen Johnson had 21 points, 18 rebounds and a career-high 16 assists for the Hawks, who have lost three straight. Johnson, who missed Wednesday’s game with a strained calf, became the first Hawks player in the play-by-play era to record a triple-double by halftime. He had 11 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists at the break.

Alexander-Walker finished with 30 points and Kristaps Porzingas had 25.

Jokic shot 2 for 13 in the first half, but ended 13 for 26 and had nine rebounds and eight assists.

The Nuggets trailed 103-94 at the end of the third quarter, but opened the fourth with a 23-3 blitz, all with Jokic on the bench. Cam Johnson had three 3-pointers during the run and the Nuggets hit their first seven 3-pointers of the fourth.

The Hawks took a big lead in the first quarter. Atlanta hit 13 of its first 15 shots and had 13 assists by quarter's end, a season-high for a single quarter. The Hawks led 41-23 at the quarter and their lead topped out at 63-40 in the second quarter.

Nuggets play at Charlotte on Sunday for the third of a four-game trip. Hawks visit Washington on Saturday in their fifth back-to-back this season.

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Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels, right, shoots the ball over Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)

Denver Nuggets guard Peyton Watson, center, dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, left, shoots against Atlanta Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)

Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (7) looks to pass the ball defended by Denver Nuggets forward Spencer Jones, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, shoots the ball over Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)

NEW YORK (AP) — Jalen Brunson scored 33 points, including a 3-pointer that capped the Knicks' opening 23-point run — the largest in the NBA since detailed play-by-play for all four quarters began in 1997 — and New York beat the Utah Jazz 146-112 on Friday night.

Deuce McBride was 7 for 10 from 3-point range and added 22 points for the Knicks, who didn't allow a point until the first quarter was more than half over. Karl-Anthony Towns had 18 points and nine rebounds in the Knicks' highest-scoring game of the season.

The Knicks got starting forward OG Anunoby back from a nine-game absence due to a left hamstring injury, then made sure he or any other starter wouldn't need to play too many minutes.

Anunoby, wearing a black sleeve on his left leg, finished with 11 points in 22 minutes. Jordan Clarkson, who won the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award while playing for Utah, had 16 points in a game the Knicks led by as many as 41 points.

Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George each scored 18 points for the Jazz, who won beat the Nets 123-110 on Thursday night in Brooklyn and were seeking their first three-game winning streak of the season. Those hopes ended quickly.

Brunson's 3-pointer made it 23-0 with 5:53 remaining in the first quarter. The Jazz missed their first 12 shots before George finally got them on the scoreboard when he converted a three-point play with 5:27 left.

The Knicks led 41-13, and the 28-point advantage their largest after one quarter in the play-by-play era. It was the second time this season that the Jazz trailed by 28 going into the second quarter. The Minnesota Timberwolves led 43-15 in their 137-97 victory on Nov. 7.

Jazz: Host Oklahoma City on Sunday.

Knicks: Host Orlando on Sunday.

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Utah Jazz head coach Will Hardy, front right, looks on as he makes substitutions during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)

Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen, center right, drives to the basket while New York Knicks guard Josh Hart, center left, defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)

Utah Jazz center Jusuf Nurkic (30) goes up to shoot against New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns, top right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)

New York Knicks' Jordan Clarkson (00) gestures after scoring a 3-point basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)