Denver’s resiliency was pronounced and unequivocal. It just came too late.
Had Nikola Jokic’s turnaround 3-pointer at the buzzer dropped, the Nuggets would’ve erased a 15-point fourth-quarter deficit that would’ve snapped their losing streak. Their defense would’ve been celebrated. Their toughness and tenacity championed.
Instead, the Nuggets’ lethargic effort for most of the afternoon dug a hole too deep to recover from, resulting in a 122-120 loss to the Nets, their third consecutive loss. The defeat dropped them to 46-22 overall and 30-6 at home with a five-game road trip on deck.
“It happens,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said, citing another lopsided quarter that swung the game.