Jamal Murray scores 31 points to help lift Nuggets past Raptors 121-115

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Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, right, drives past Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 20, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, front, is fouled as he goes up for a shot by Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes, not visible, in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 20, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) — Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, right, drives past Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 20, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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11:55 PM on Friday, March 20

The Associated Press

DENVER (AP) — Jamal Murray scored 31 points, Nikola Jokic made a go-ahead jumper with 45 seconds left and the Denver Nuggets held on for a 121-115 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Friday night.

Jokic finished with 22 points and nine rebounds, Tim Hardaway Jr. had 23 points and shot 7 of 10 from 3-point range and Aaron Gordon added 16 points for the Nuggets, who improved to 8-8 since the All-Star break.

Jakob Poeltl scored 23 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for the Raptors, who had a three-game winning streak snapped. Brandon Ingram added 19 points and R.J. Barrett had 18.

The Nuggets trailed 101-98 before Hardaway tied it with a 3-pointer with 7:27 remaining. Denver was up 115-110 with 1:43 left, but the Raptors got right back into it.

Scottie Barnes, who finished with 15 points, had a layup with 1:32 remaining. Poeltl three-point play on a layup and free throw after he was fouled by Jokic tied it at 115 with 60 seconds left.

But the Nuggets closed with a 6-0 run to seal the victory. Jokic had a turnaround jumper, Murray made three free throws and Gordon made one of his own to cap it.

Up next

Raptors: Play at Phoenix on Sunday night.

Nuggets: Host Portland on Sunday night.

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