Nuggets 104-91 Pelicans: Denver’s defense stifles New Orleans

The Denver Nuggets leaned on Nikola Jokic and a smothering defensive effort to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 104-91 at Smoothie King Center on October 29, 2026. Jokic recorded another triple-double, and Denver held New Orleans to 39% shooting to secure a road win and improve to 4-1 on the young season.

The Pelicans fell to 1-4 despite a strong individual performance from Zion Williamson. New Orleans stayed within striking distance for three quarters, but a decisive Denver run in the third period and a cold shooting night from beyond the arc proved too much to overcome.

Match overview

Denver never trailed after the first quarter, building a 53-46 halftime lead and then pulling away with a 15-2 run midway through the third. The Nuggets moved the ball patiently against New Orleans’ pressure, finishing with 27 assists, while their defense forced 16 turnovers and limited the Pelicans to 7-of-30 from three-point range.

• Q1: Nuggets 27, Pelicans 22
• Q2: Nuggets 26, Pelicans 24
• Q3: Nuggets 25, Pelicans 23
• Q4: Nuggets 26, Pelicans 22
• Final: Nuggets 104, Pelicans 91

Key moments

The game’s turning point came early in the third quarter. With Denver leading 55-50, Jokic assisted on back-to-back corner threes, then scored inside over a double team to spark a 15-2 run. The Nuggets pushed the lead to 18 and forced New Orleans into a series of contested jumpers.

New Orleans made one final push early in the fourth, cutting the deficit to 11 after Williamson scored six straight points, but Jamal Murray answered with a pull-up three and Christian Braun added a transition layup. The Pelicans never got closer than nine the rest of the way.

Tactical story

Denver’s defense was organized and physical. The Nuggets crowded Williamson’s driving lanes, forced him into help defenders, and rotated quickly to New Orleans’ shooters. Jokic finished with 29 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists, while Murray added 23 points and Braun scored 17. Aaron Gordon chipped in 14 points and guarded multiple positions.

New Orleans won the rebounding battle 49-45 but could not convert second-chance opportunities. Williamson led the Pelicans with 25 points and 10 rebounds, Trey Murphy III scored 18, and Dejounte Murray added 12 points and eight assists. However, the Pelicans shot just 4-of-18 from three in the second half and were outscored 48-38 in the paint after halftime.

Standout performers and season impact

Jokic’s triple-double was the centerpiece, but Denver’s win was a team effort built on defensive discipline and efficient shot selection. The Nuggets shot 47% from the field and committed only 11 turnovers, a recipe that has served them well in the early going.

The victory keeps Denver near the top of the Western Conference standings and reinforces its ability to win on the road even when the offense is not at its most explosive. For New Orleans, the loss underscores the importance of perimeter shooting around Williamson. The Pelicans have the athleticism and rebounding to compete, but nights like this show how difficult it is to score against an elite defense when the outside shot abandons them.