Jamal Murray's 39 Points Lead Nuggets to 116-111 Win Over Rockets

The Denver Nuggets pulled away in the third quarter to defeat the Houston Rockets 116-111 on Sunday, March 23, 2025, at the Toyota Center in Houston. But it wasn’t just the final score that told the story — it was the silence that fell over the home crowd during that brutal 12-minute stretch when the Nuggets turned a tie game into a 17-point lead. Jamal Murray, the Canadian point guard, dropped 39 points — 17 of them in the third quarter alone — and turned what looked like a competitive matchup into a statement win for Denver’s playoff aspirations.

A Third Quarter That Broke the Game

The first half was a mirror image: 27-27 after Q1, 30-30 after Q2. Both teams traded baskets like old rivals, neither willing to blink. The Rockets, coming in on a hot streak, had won four straight. The Nuggets? Two wins in a row, but still chasing the conference’s top dog. Then came Q3. And everything changed.

Denver went on a 39-22 tear. Not just scoring — dominating. Murray hit step-back threes, drove through double teams, and dished to Nikola Jokić for easy finishes. The Rockets, meanwhile, went ice-cold. They missed their first eight shots in the quarter. Turnovers piled up. Their bench couldn’t generate a single basket until the final 90 seconds. By the time the third ended, the crowd had gone from chanting "Let’s go Rockets!" to staring at their phones.

The Rockets’ Late Surge Fell Short

Don’t say Houston quit. They didn’t. The fourth quarter was a different story. Led by Jalen Green and Alperen Şengün, the Rockets exploded for 32 points — the most they’d scored in any quarter all season. Green hit three threes in under three minutes. Şengün spun past defenders like they were standing still. For a few glorious minutes, it felt like a comeback was coming.

But the deficit was too deep. The Nuggets, now up by 15 with 4:30 left, didn’t panic. Michael Porter Jr. hit a clutch mid-range jumper. Aaron Gordon blocked a layup attempt that could’ve cut the lead to four. When the final buzzer sounded, the Rockets had done everything right — except play the quarter that mattered most.

Standings Shift as Playoff Race Tightens

With the win, the Nuggets improved to 12-3 (.800 win percentage), moving into the top four of the Western Conference. They’re now three games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder (16-1), who’ve won 11 straight. But more importantly, they’re one of just three teams in the West with a winning percentage above .750.

The Rockets, meanwhile, fell to 10-4 (.714). They’re still in the thick of the Southwest Division race, trailing the San Antonio Spurs (11-4) by just half a game. But this loss hurts — not just because it ended their streak, but because it exposed a troubling trend: when the pressure mounts in the middle quarters, they still struggle to respond.

Why This Matters Beyond the Box Score

This wasn’t just another win for Denver. It was proof they can win on the road, against a team that’s built to challenge them. The Rockets have the talent — Green’s explosiveness, Şengün’s IQ, the depth of their bench. But they still lack the killer instinct that teams like Denver and Oklahoma City have cultivated.

Meanwhile, Murray’s performance — his third 35+ point game in the last five — is turning heads. He’s not just a scorer. He’s a closer. And with Jokić still playing at MVP-level efficiency, Denver looks less like a contender and more like a team that could go deep into June.

What’s Next for Both Teams?

The Nuggets return home to face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday, a team they’ve beaten twice already this season. A win there could push them within two games of the Thunder. The Rockets, meanwhile, head to New Orleans on Wednesday, where they’ll face a Pelicans squad desperate for wins — and a chance to climb out of the division’s cellar.

One thing’s clear: the Western Conference is a war zone. Every game now feels like a playoff preview. And in this one, the Nuggets didn’t just win — they reminded everyone why they’re still the team to beat.