![\"NBA:](\"https:\/\/images.deadspin.com\/tr:w-900\/28115928.jpg\")
Jan 29, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Julian Strawther (3) shoots over Brooklyn Nets guard Nolan Traore (88) in the second quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images <\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\nJamal Murray scored 27 points, Jonas Valanciunas hit two free throws with 2.6 seconds left, and the host Denver Nuggets beat the Brooklyn Nets 107-103 in Michael Porter Jr.’s return to the Mile High City.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Porter scored a season-high 38 points but missed his final four 3-point attempts after Brooklyn rallied to tie it.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Terance Mann had 12 points and Nic Claxton scored 10 for the Nets, who have lost seven straight.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Tim Hardaway Jr. had 25 points on tied his season with seven 3-pointers, Peyton Watson scored 19 points and Valanciunas and Bruce Brown contributed 12 points each for Denver.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Porter spent his first six NBA seasons with the Nuggets, helping the franchise win its first NBA title in 2023. The sold-out crowd gave Porter a standing ovation during a video tribute to him at the first timeout of the game.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Porter used that as fuel to score 20 points in the first half but Hardaway nearly matched it, scoring 19 to help the Nuggets take a 64-49 into intermission.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n <\/p>\n The Nets came out strong in the third quarter. Mann and Porter each hit a pair of 3-pointers during Brooklyn’s 16-4 run to open the second half, cutting the deficit to 68-65 and forcing a Denver timeout.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n The Nuggets stayed cold, missing eight straight shots, but the Nets had six consecutive empty possessions to thwart a chance to take the lead. Murray’s dunk ended Denver’s drought but Martin hit a 3-pointer and dunked off a turnover to tie it with 3:51 left.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Julian Strawther’s steal and layup with a second left gave the Nuggets a 79-76 lead heading into the fourth. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n Denver went ahead 90-84 but the Nets went on a 10-2 run to take the lead, but the Nuggets responded<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Valanciunas converted a three-point play to put Denver back in front. Porter missed a pair of 3-pointers and Murray took over, scoring the next seven points to give the Nuggets a 104-98 lead.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Porter hit two free throws, Watson split a pair and then fouled Mann on a 3-point attempt. Mann made all three to move the Nets within two but Valanciunas sealed it at the line.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n –Field Level Media<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n