Nuggets comeback from 23 point deficit to beat the Hawks 134-133

Nikola Jokic (Google Images)

The Denver Nuggets came back from a 23 point deficit to beat the Atlanta Hawks on Friday from the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. Atlanta was leading Denver 71-48 with one minute and 18 seconds left in the first half before Denver outscored Atlanta 86-62 en route to a 134-133 victory.

This was the third largest comeback in Nuggets history. Denver trailed the Memphis Grizzlies by 25 points (70-45) on January 28, 2019, before winning 95-92. The Nuggets also trailed the Indiana Pacers by 25 points (63-38) on November 10, 2007, before winning 113-106.

In the Nuggets win over the Hawks, center Nikola Jokic of Sombor, Serbia led the Nuggets with 40 points. It was also a strong game for Canadian guard Jamal Murray of Kitchener, Ontario, who had the double double. He had 23 points and 12 assists. Meanwhile, three more Nuggets reached double digits. Shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr. of Orinda, California had 17 points, power forward Cameron Johnson of Moon Township, New Jersey had 16 points, and shooting guard Bruce Brown of Boston, Massachusetts also had 13 points off the bench.

The third and fourth quarters had identical point totals. Denver outscored Atlanta 40-30 in the third quarter and again in the fourth quarter.

This was also the second biggest comeback in the NBA this season. The biggest comeback this season was on November 4. The Chicago Bulls trailed the Philadelphia 76ers by 24 points (65-41) before winning 113-111.

The Nuggets are currently at 17 wins and six losses. That is the second best record in the Western Conference. The only two team with a better record are the Oklahoma City Thunder at 23 wins and one loss.