The Denver Nuggets outlasted the New Orleans Pelicans 141-135 in an overtime thriller on October 25, 2026, turning a high-scoring night at Ball Arena into an early-season statement. Nikola Jokic delivered a triple-double, and Denver’s half-court execution held up after New Orleans erased a double-digit deficit to force an extra period.

Match overview

Both teams came out shooting with confidence, but the game was defined by contrasting styles. New Orleans attacked the paint relentlessly behind Zion Williamson, while Denver relied on Jokic’s decision-making and Jamal Murray’s shot-making. The Nuggets led 68-61 at halftime and stretched the advantage to 14 in the third quarter before the Pelicans stormed back.

Regulation ended 126-126 after Williamson converted a tough left-handed layup with eight seconds remaining. Denver had a final look from three, but it rimmed out. In overtime, the Nuggets scored the first six points and never trailed again.

Key moments

The Pelicans’ comeback was fueled by Trey Murphy III, who hit three straight three-pointers late in the third quarter and early in the fourth. Denver’s offense briefly stagnated, but Jokic settled things with a pair of post assists and a short floater. The biggest overtime sequence came when Jokic grabbed a defensive rebound, pushed the ball himself, and found Murray for a corner three that made it 135-128.

New Orleans kept fighting through Williamson and Dejounte Murray, but Denver’s free-throw shooting in the final minute sealed the result. The Nuggets finished with 33 assists and committed only 11 turnovers.

Tactical story

Denver’s offense ran through Jokic at the elbow and top of the key, forcing New Orleans to choose between helping on cutters and staying home on shooters. The Pelicans often chose wrong, and Denver punished them with backdoor passes and open corner threes. New Orleans had success going small with Williamson at center, which opened driving lanes and created second-chance points.

The decisive adjustment came on defense. Denver began shading extra help toward Williamson in overtime and dared the Pelicans’ perimeter players to beat them. New Orleans managed only nine points in the extra period.

Standout players

• Nikola Jokic, Nuggets: 34 points, 15 rebounds, and 13 assists in a vintage triple-double.
• Jamal Murray, Nuggets: 31 points, including the go-ahead three in overtime.
• Zion Williamson, Pelicans: 36 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists in a dominant interior performance.
• Trey Murphy III, Pelicans: 28 points and 7 three-pointers, keeping New Orleans alive.
• Dejounte Murray, Pelicans: 18 points and 12 assists against his former team.

Season impact

The overtime win gave Denver an early edge in the Western Conference standings and underlined its ability to win games in multiple ways. New Orleans left with a loss but showed its offense can hang with an elite team. The result also added another chapter to a growing head-to-head rivalry, with both teams looking like potential playoff contenders in the crowded West.