Mile High Tape · Morning

Denver Won in New Orleans on Jokic's Passing, Not Murray's Shot

A 13-point road win with six points from Murray shows the offense still runs through Jokic's hands when one scorer goes cold.

By the Nuggets Nightly Desk · Friday, October 30

Denver beat the Pelicans 104-91 on October 28 behind a Jokic triple-double, and at 2-2 sits ninth in the West. Tonight in Phoenix opens NBA Cup group play, and Cameron Johnson's ankle is the main question.

Nuggets Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

What New Orleans proved

Jokic finished with 21 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists, and ESPN reported it was his 200th career triple-double. The number that matters is Murray's: six points. Four nights after he scored 42 against the same opponent, Denver won by 13 without his scoring and held New Orleans to 91. That is what continuity buys. When one option goes quiet, the ball finds the next one.

Phoenix, rested and short

The Suns are 1-2 and lost their last game. Devin Booker is averaging 23.0 points. Mark Williams will miss the game with a left shoulder injury, and Oso Ighodaro has an oblique issue. Phoenix has had three days off. Denver has had one, and this is its second straight road game and its fourth game in eight days.

Who gets back on the same page

Johnson and Alpha Diallo both list today as their return date. Spencer Jones has a hamstring injury and is targeting November 2, and Julian Strawther's knee points to November 29. In 2025-26, the five of Jokic, Murray, Gordon, Braun and Johnson outscored opponents by 13.5 points per 100 possessions. Getting even one of the missing pieces back changes who Jokic can pass to.

The open question

If Johnson is cleared, does Adelman put him straight back with the starters on the road, or ease him in before home games against Portland on November 2 and Toronto on November 4? Wednesday showed this group can win while it waits.

Is Cameron Johnson playing tonight against the Suns?

A right ankle injury has kept him out, and October 30 is his listed return date. No final decision has been reported.

How many career triple-doubles does Nikola Jokic have?

ESPN reported that his 21-point, 13-rebound, 10-assist game in the 104-91 win at New Orleans was his 200th.

By the Nuggets Nightly Desk, written from the club's data and the reports on file, with every name and number checked against them. How the desks work.