Jamal Murray's 45 points help Nuggets beat the Jazz 128-125

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Jamal Murray scored 45 points and made the go-ahead free throws with 31.8 seconds remaining to help the Denver Nuggets hold off the depleted Utah Jazz 128-125 on Monday night.

Utah's Keyonte George scored 36 points, but was denied two free throws that could have given the Jazz the lead on what would have been Nikola Jokic's sixth foul with 16.3 seconds remaining — a shooting foul that was reversed to a blocked shot after a lengthy review.

Jokic, who had 22 points and 12 rebounds, made two free throws with 6.1 seconds left and George missed a last-second 3-pointer as the Nuggets escaped with the win.

Cam Johnson was a late scratch with a hurt ankle, but Julian Strawther scored 15 points and Jonas Valanciunas added 13 for Denver.

With Jokic on the bench and most of his teammates lacking energy in the second game of a back to back, Murray made five 3s and scored 18 points in the third quarter to push the Nuggets to a 100-93 lead entering the fourth. Murray was 13 of 19 from the field and had eight 3s along with seven turnovers.

George, in his second game back after missing three weeks to ankle sprains, matched Murray's shot-making in 30 minutes of action on 14-for-22 shooting, with four 3s. His dunk with 2:13 left gave Utah a 122-118 lead.

Lauri Markkanen and most of Utah's starters and rotation regulars have been shelved due to injury, but the Jazz never let the Nuggets' lead reach double figures.

Kyle Filipowski scored 19 points and Ace Bailey had 18 for the Jazz, who have lost six straight.

Denver had lost three of four, including a 117-108 loss to Minnesota on Sunday night and the consecutive games seemed to take a toll.

Denver: Hosts the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday.

Utah: Vists the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday.

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

Utah Jazz guard Isaiah Collier (8) goes to the basket while guarded by Denver Nuggets guard Bruce Brown (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 2, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate)

Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (3) drives to the basket guarded by Denver Nuggets guard Julian Strawther, center back, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 2, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate)

Utah Jazz center Oscar Tshiebwe (34) drives to the basket while guarded by Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 2, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate)

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray reacts to making a 3-point basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Monday, March 2, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate)

DEDHAM, Mass. (AP) — Jury selection began Monday in the assault trial of former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs in connection with a heated dispute he had with his private chef.

The four-time Pro Bowl wideout pleaded not guilty in February to a felony strangulation charge and a misdemeanor assault and battery charge stemming from the alleged dispute with his former private chef.

Diggs declined to speak to reporters as he arrived at Norfolk County District Court in Dedham, a Boston suburb.

According to court records, the chef told officers that she and Diggs had argued about money he owed her for work. During the Dec. 2 encounter at his home in Dedham, Massachusetts, she said, he “smacked her across the face” and then “tried to choke her using the crook of his elbow around her neck,” leaving her feeling short of breath. She told officers she had trouble breathing and felt she could have blacked out.

Diggs’ attorney has said he “categorically denies these allegations,” calling them unsubstantiated and motivated by a financial dispute. Diggs did not speak to reporters outside court in February.

Diggs signed a three-year, $69 million contract with New England last year and was a key target for quarterback Drake Maye during the Patriots’ AFC East title run. Before joining the Patriots, Diggs was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 2015 and played for the Buffalo Bills before a brief stint with the Houston Texans in 2024.

Diggs’ 1,000-yard season with the Patriots marked the seventh of his career. It helped complete a successful career revival after a season-ending knee injury derailed what turned out to be a one-year stay with the Houston Texans in 2024.

Diggs, who led the team with 85 receptions and 1,013 yards receiving with four touchdowns in his only season with the Patriots, was released by the team in March. Diggs posted a goodbye on social media, thanking the Patriots for the season and saying: “We family forever.”

Diggs has yet to sign with another team.

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs arrives at Norfolk County District Court, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs arrives at Norfolk County District Court, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs arrives at Norfolk County District Court, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs arrives at Norfolk County District Court, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs arrives at Norfolk County District Court, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)