Anthony Davis Scores 32, Mavericks Defeat Nuggets 131-121/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Anthony Davis scored a season-best 32 points as the Dallas Mavericks topped the Denver Nuggets 131-121 on the road. Rookie Ryan Nembhard added a career-high 28 points and 10 assists to help secure back-to-back wins. Despite another triple-double from Nikola Jokic, Denver suffered its fourth straight home loss.
Mavericks vs Nuggets: Quick Looks
- Anthony Davis tallied a season-high 32 points in his second game back.
- Rookie Ryan Nembhard had a breakout performance: 28 points, 10 assists.
- Cooper Flagg contributed 24 points as Dallas hit 16 threes.
- Nikola Jokic posted his 11th triple-double of the season: 29-20-13.
- Denver suffered its fourth straight home loss.
- The Mavericks used an 18-5 fourth-quarter run to seal the win.
- Jamal Murray exited early in the third quarter due to injury concerns.
- Spencer Jones scored a career-high 28 points for Denver.
- Anthony Davis also grabbed 13 rebounds, tying his season best.
- Mavericks face Miami next, Nuggets begin road trip at Indiana.
Anthony Davis Scores 32, Mavericks Defeat Nuggets 131-121
Deep Look
Anthony Davis returned to form with a season-best 32-point performance as the Dallas Mavericks took down the Denver Nuggets 131-121 on Monday night. It marked the second game back from injury for Davis, who also collected 13 rebounds to match his season high, playing a key role in helping Dallas secure back-to-back wins for the first time this season.
Davis, who missed 14 games due to injury, made an immediate impact after sitting out Saturday’s game for maintenance. In just his seventh game this season, he looked dominant on both ends of the floor, showcasing the presence Dallas had been missing.
Supporting Davis was standout rookie Ryan Nembhard, who delivered the best game of his young career with 28 points and 10 assists. The 20-year-old guard controlled the pace, ran the offense with confidence, and hit big shots when it mattered most. Cooper Flagg added 24 points as Dallas shot an impressive 16 of 31 from three-point range, spreading the floor and outpacing Denver’s defense in the second half.
Despite the loss, Denver saw big performances from Spencer Jones and Nikola Jokic. Jones posted a career-high 28 points in a rare offensive explosion, while Jokic added yet another triple-double to his 2025 campaign — his 11th so far — with 29 points, a season-high 20 rebounds, and 13 assists. However, it wasn’t enough to stop the bleeding as Denver dropped its fourth consecutive home game.
The Nuggets got off to a hot start, building a 17-point lead early in the first half. But the momentum shifted in the second quarter when Dallas outscored them 42-27. It was the third time in six home quarters that Denver had surrendered 41 or more points — a worrying trend for the defending champions.
Jamal Murray’s status added further concern. The Nuggets guard appeared slow heading to the locker room at halftime and went down in the opening minute of the third quarter. Though he returned briefly, he exited again and did not play in the final quarter. His absence loomed large in Denver’s late-game collapse.
Trailing by four with just under 10 minutes left in the game, the Mavericks launched a decisive 18-5 run. Denver went ice cold during that stretch, missing 10 consecutive shots — including six from beyond the arc — before Peyton Watson ended the drought with two quick baskets. But the damage had been done. Dallas led 129-117 with 1:29 remaining and never looked back.
The win offers Dallas a much-needed boost. The team has been inconsistent to start the season, dealing with injuries and lineup adjustments. With Davis returning to form, Nembhard developing quickly, and Flagg contributing solidly, the Mavericks now appear more balanced and dangerous.
Meanwhile, Denver faces serious questions about its depth and defensive lapses, especially at home. Once dominant in their arena, the Nuggets have now lost four straight at Ball Arena — three of those to teams with losing records at the time. While Jokic continues to deliver MVP-caliber performances, the team’s supporting cast hasn’t been consistent, and injuries are beginning to pile up.
Looking ahead, the Mavericks will try to extend their momentum as they return home to face the Miami Heat on Wednesday night. The Nuggets, on the other hand, hit the road for a four-game trip, starting with a matchup against the Indiana Pacers.
With playoff seeding and team chemistry taking shape in the heart of the season, both squads will need to adjust — Dallas to build on this rising form, and Denver to halt its alarming slide.
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