On December 31, 2024, Beijing time, the NBA regular season saw the 7-23 Jazz host the 17-13 Nuggets. This was a winnable game for the Nuggets, but could they seize the opportunity? The Jazz were without Collins, starting with Sexton, George, Zhuang, Markkanen, and Kessler. The Nuggets were missing Gordon, starting with Murray, Westbrook, Braun, Porter, and Jokic.
In the first quarter, George hit a three-pointer, followed by layups from Braun, Porter, and Braun, giving the Nuggets a 6-3 lead. Zhuang scored five consecutive points, to which Porter and Murray responded, extending the lead to 11-8. Sexton, Kessler, and Markkanen added points for the Jazz, while Porter and Westbrook responded, keeping the difference at two points. Markkanen, Sexton, and Zhuang went on an 8-0 run to take a six-point lead. After a timeout, Jokic hit a three-pointer, to which Sexton responded with a mid-range shot, maintaining a five-point lead. Jokic, Braun, and Westbrook then took the lead by five points. Clarkson went on a scoring spree, netting 13 points, though Strausser and Murray tried to respond, the Jazz ended the quarter leading 37-36.
The second quarter saw Jordan and Watson score five points for the Nuggets, taking a four-point lead. Phil hit a layup, followed by a dunk and free throws from Watson and Strausser, extending the lead to six points. Collier, Zhuang, and George responded with a 9-0 run to take a three-point lead. Murray hit a mid-range shot, to which Zhuang, Markkanen, and Kessler responded, giving the Jazz a seven-point lead. After another timeout, Jokic and Westbrook narrowed the gap to three points. Markkanen made a 2+1 play, while Braun and Jokic continued to score, reducing the gap to one point. Sexton and Clarkson added points for the Jazz, while Jokic, Westbrook, and Porter closed the gap, tying the game. Sexton made two free throws, and the half ended with the Jazz leading 66-64.
In the third quarter, Markkanen hit a three-pointer, giving the Jazz a five-point lead. Jokic responded with a three-pointer of his own, to which Kessler replied with an alley-oop, keeping the difference at four points. Porter, Jokic, and Braun went on a 6-0 run to take a two-point lead. After a timeout, Zhuang and Sexton scored for the Jazz, while Murray, Jokic, and Braun responded, giving the Nuggets a four-point lead. Kessler, Sexton, and Clarkson added points for the Jazz, while Westbrook, Braun, Murray, and Jokic responded, extending the lead to six points. Clarkson and Collier scored for the Jazz, while Jokic continued to score, ending the quarter with the Nuggets leading 98-89. Jokic scored 17 points in this quarter alone.
The fourth quarter saw Clarkson score four consecutive points, to which Porter responded with five points, extending the lead to ten points. Williams and Sensabo narrowed the gap to three points. Murray and Watson added points for the Nuggets, while Sensabo and Phil tried to close the gap, leaving it at two points. Jokic hit a three-pointer and Porter made a layup, extending the lead to seven points. After a timeout, Watson made an alley-oop, leaving the gap at nine points. Kessler made two consecutive alley-oops, to which Watson, Braun, and Westbrook responded, extending the lead to eleven points. Sexton hit a three-pointer, while Westbrook scored four consecutive points, extending the lead to twelve points. George, Markkanen, and Sexton added points for the Jazz, while Murray, Westbrook, and Braun responded, keeping the lead at eleven points. With 16 seconds left in the game, the suspense was lost, and the Nuggets ultimately defeated the Jazz 132-121, achieving a comeback after trailing at halftime.
Jokic had an impressive game, shooting 14 out of 33 (3 out of 9 from three-point range) for 36 points, 22 rebounds, 11 assists, and 4 steals. This was his 13th triple-double of the season, breaking the league record. Westbrook also had a great game, shooting 7 out of 7 for 16 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and 4 steals. Jokic and Westbrook both achieved triple-doubles, creating an NBA miracle. Murray contributed 20 points, 4 rebounds, and 10 assists, while Porter had 21 points and 6 rebounds, and Braun had 20 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 steals. Watson added 13 points and 4 rebounds.
Clarkson had 24 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists, Kessler had 12 points, 13 rebounds, and 3 blocks, Sexton had 22 points and 4 assists, Markkanen had 17 points, and Zhuang had 14 points and 4 rebounds.
With this victory, the Nuggets overtook the Lakers in the standings, moving up to sixth place in the West, while the Lakers dropped to seventh.