Denver, CO
Short-handed Nuggets hand OKC Thunder its first loss of season without Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon
In what was supposed to be their first scheduled loss of the season, the Nuggets refused to accept that label.
Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon were out due to injuries. Against an undefeated opponent. An undefeated opponent that already crushed Denver at Ball Arena two weeks earlier on opening night. Somehow, still, the short-handed Nuggets roared back from down 16 in the second half to hand Oklahoma City its first loss of the season, 124-122.
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Michael Porter Jr. overcame a 1-for-6 first half from the floor to score 22 of his 24 points after halftime. Nikola Jokic, who’s averaging a triple-double, went for 23 points, 20 rebounds and 16 assists. Russell Westbrook sparked the comeback by growling at the crowd in the midst of his 29-point, 10-for-15 outing. Braun supplied 24 points and superb defense against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
And for the fourth time, the Nuggets (5-3) won a game that came down to the final possession in regulation when Peyton Watson blocked Gilgeous-Alexander’s game-tying layup attempt as time expired. SGA finished with 28 points but eight turnovers.
“We talked to the people at Altitude TV, and we just want to try to keep the fans glued to their seats, keep viewership up, and kind of just come back in the fourth quarter,” Michael Malone said pregame when asked about Denver’s tendency to fall behind early in games this season. “And let everybody go home with a smile on their face. We’re entertainers, after all.”
“We’re trying to get better in late-game situations; that’s why we’ve been missing free throws on purpose at the end,” Braun said. “And just keeping it close. So we can improve on those situations.”
He went on to remove the tongue from his cheek and say that Oklahoma City is a team Denver could not afford to fall behind against.
Then, for the fifth time in their first eight games, the Nuggets erased a deficit of 14 or more points to at least lead in the fourth quarter. The worst it got was 81-65 this time, at the 7:31 mark of the third, moments after Malone picked up a live-ball technical foul for confronting an official about a no-call. His team made up the gap in fewer than four minutes, a 22-6 run starting with consecutive 3-pointers from Westbrook and Braun and ending with consecutive 3s from Julian Strawther and Porter. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault called three timeouts during the quarter.
The comeback was propelled by a stretch of 15 consecutive points either scored or assisted by Westbrook.
“I think defensively he’s been a rockstar,” Malone said. “And what I love about Russell Westbrook: 17-year vet, leopards don’t change their spots, but he is trying so hard to be disciplined. He’s trying to do the things we’re asking him to do, and I appreciate that so much. Because a lot of times at 17 years in, you are who you are. But he cares, man. He is so invested in this team and what he’s bringing to this team, and he’s so hard on himself. I can coach a guy like Russell Westbrook any day.”
The Nuggets took Oklahoma City out of its rhythm throughout the game by trying a zone defense, blitzing screens occasionally and above all by sprinting after misses, desperate to avoid the Thunder’s half-court defense. They also sustained a refreshing early-season trend by getting to the free-throw line for 33 attempts, led by nine tries for Westbrook — though Watson missed a crucial pair at the end to give Oklahoma City a chance. Those foul shots had been set up by a reckless inbound pass from Jokic, over the top of multiple defenders.
“Not at all,” Malone said, feigning calmness, when asked if Jokic’s spur-of-the-moment decisions ever stress him out.
The only player who couldn’t seem to get a call was Jokic. Chet Holmgren waged a war against him in the paint. Help defenders scratched and clawed. Oklahoma City’s guards tried to slide into position to take a charge against him at every chance. During a critical sequence late in the first half, Jokic felt it was getting out of hand and bickered with officials the length of the floor while the Thunder took a 9-1 run into the break.
“I’d say 95% of my techs have a plan behind it,” Malone said. “I feel like Nikola’s getting beat up. And I’ve gotta fight. Everything Nikola’s done for this city, this team, this franchise, me, my family — I’m going to fight for that guy.”
Westbrook, who also picked up a technical earlier in the game, described Malone more succinctly: “We’re both a little psycho in the head.”
When OKC pulled away, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a lot to do with it. Quality of defense didn’t matter. He twirled in mid-air for a crafty reverse layup and buried a 15-footer from behind the backboard over Braun in a matter of minutes.
But Braun gave him an outstanding battle with his defensive discipline as the night wore on. On a vital fourth-quarter possession, the 23-year-old refused to leave his feet for a barrage of ball-fakes until Gilgeous-Alexander gave up on his isolation attempt. By the time he passed it, Oklahoma City was late in the shot clock and didn’t get a clean look.
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Originally Published:
Denver, CO
Twitter reacts to another Bo Nix comeback vs. Texans
The Denver Broncos have made significant work of the fourth quarter this season. Denver has outscored opponents 80-26 in the final 15 minutes during their six-game win streak, which have led to some heart-pounding games from the Broncos this year. Denver has scored 96 points in the final 15 minutes this season, tied with the Green Bay Packers for the most in the NFL.
In Sunday’s win over the Houston Texans, the Broncos entered the final frame down 15-7, before promptly scoring a touchdown and two-point conversion to tie the game with just over 12 minutes left. Bo Nix then led a final Denver drive to kick the game-winning field goal as time expired. Sunday marked the Broncos’ fourth fourth quarter comeback this year, tied with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the most this season. Twitter lit up after Nix’s latest great escape.
The Broncos now have a short week to prepare for the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday Night Football.
Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
Denver, CO
First memorial to Flight 629 bombing, one of Colorado’s deadliest mass murders, unveiled in Denver
There is a distinct before and after the night of Nov. 1, 1955, when a United Airlines flight exploded over a sugar beet field near Longmont, killing all 44 people on board in one of the deadliest mass murders in Colorado history.
There is before Susan Morgan lost her parents, Stewart and Anne, at 12 years old because a Denver man, Jack Gilbert Graham, put a homemade bomb in his mother’s suitcase.
Graham bought a life insurance policy as he escorted his mother, Daisie King, to the gate for United Airlines Flight 629 at Stapleton Airport. She unknowingly carried 25 sticks of dynamite, timed to explode after the Portland, Oregon-bound flight took off.
There is before Dave Benedict learned, at 3 years old, that he would never meet his grandparents, James and Sarah Dorey, because they were killed when a bomb exploded on their flight to visit him for the first time.
Now 70 years after the bombing of Flight 629, families of the 44 victims gathered at the former Stapleton control tower for the unveiling of Colorado’s first memorial to the tragedy.
“Today’s commemoration is not just about what happened in 1955, it’s about who we became because of it,” FBI Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek told hundreds of people gathered at the FlyteCo Tower on Saturday morning.
It was also about healing, Benedict said. He thought this weekend would include a dinner, maybe, and was at a loss for words to describe what the ceremonies and events organized by the Denver Police Museum and dozens of other organizations and volunteers meant to him.
“The ability to listen to other people’s stories and to hear what carrying 70 years of unspoken pain has been like… we’re hearing that over and over again,” he said. “Very few of the victims’ children or spouses had any context in which to talk about this, to work through it or process it, so that’s happening now.”
In the decades after losing her parents, Morgan came to realize she also had lost her life as she knew it and who she thought she would become, she said.

But even knowing the darkness that became part of her life, Morgan told the crowd of families, first responders, investigators and court officials, she cannot wish that it never happened. That she had never created her “second family,” or viewed the world with clear eyes.

“I’m among a large group of people whose lives have been scarred by the same tragedy as mine,” Morgan said. “That sense of something shared is a remarkable thing.”
It’s not clear why it took so long to create a memorial to the bombing, although some officials on Saturday speculated the scattered nature of the victims’ families – only one, Daisie King, was from Colorado – played a part.
But each one had a story, former Denver Police Department Deputy Chief William Nagle told the crowd. Nagle read out name after name, describing the life behind each one.
Capt. Lee Hall, a World War II veteran who was planning to retire early. He left behind a wife and four children.
Helen Fitzpatrick, who was flying with her 13-month-old son, James, so he could meet his father and namesake while he was deployed in Japan.
They were restaurant owners, general contractors, car salesmen. Folks taking the first airplane trip of their lives.
“What is important now is that we tell the story of each of these 44 lives,” Denver Mayor Mike Johnston told the crowd.
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Denver, CO
Denver mom turns backyard into emergency food pantry on Halloween amid SNAP benefit uncertainty
DENVER — A Denver woman turned her backyard into an emergency food pantry on Halloween, hoping to fill a need while federal food assistance remains uncertain.
Joanna Rosa-Saenz organized the grassroots food drive after hearing about food insecurity in her northwest Denver neighborhood.
“We live in America. We shouldn’t be hungry, we shouldn’t be hungry,” said Rosa-Saenz. “And I don’t want anyone on my block to be hungry.”
Denver7
Federal judges in two separate cases ruled Friday that the Trump administration cannot suspend Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits during the government shutdown.
The Massachusetts ruling came after about two dozen states sued the federal government, arguing the Agriculture Department’s plan to halt all SNAP payments starting Nov. 1 would unlawfully cut off aid to millions of low-income families.
The Agriculture Department had argued it could not legally tap contingency funds to keep the program running. But the judge disagreed and ordered the agency to report back by Monday on how it will fund benefits. Under the ruling, payments could still be temporarily reduced depending on available funds.
Around the same time, the Massachusetts decision was issued, a federal judge in Rhode Island delivered a similar ruling from the bench. That case was brought by cities and nonprofit groups, and the court likewise found the administration must use available funds to continue providing benefits.
President Donald Trump indicated his administration would comply with the rulings, but accused the courts of issuing conflicting opinions and is seeking more clarity on how SNAP should be funded.
National Politics
Judges say Trump administration can’t suspend SNAP benefits during shutdown
Despite the rulings, it’s unclear when and how much assistance will be given out for the month of November.
With the need still there, Rosa-Saenz opened her backyard to the public Friday afternoon and asked the community to drop off canned goods while trick-or-treating.
The emergency food pantry now holds essential items like canned and dry goods, personal hygiene products and baby items.
Denver7
Rosa-Saenz, a single mother of three, told Denver7 she understands the challenges many families are facing today because she is a former SNAP recipient.
“I remember having to stand in line for a food box, things like that,” Rosa-Saenz said.
But to get the food drive up and running, Rosa-Saenz knew she needed help. Several nonprofits joined the effort, including Lacy McDonald, executive director of Outer Haven, a nonprofit working to reduce youth inequities.
Denver7
“One phone call can turn into this,” said McDonald. “And this is just a little snippet, so think what we could do together as a whole city.”
Before trick-or-treating started Friday night, more than 900 pounds of food had been collected for Rosa-Saenz’s backyard.
“That’s what community is,” she said. “Community is stepping up, working together and really making unity in the community.”
Scripps News Group contributed to this report.
If you would like to donate, below is a list of donation locations:
- 4229 Irving St. in Denver.
- Open from Nov 1 through Nov. 10
- Donations can be dropped off from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily
- 5123 Chase St. in Denver
- Open from Oct. 31 through Nov. 2
- Please place donations at the end of the driveway
- Moonflower Coffee, located at 4200 W Colfax Ave. in Denver
- Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily
These are the most needed items:
- Ramen, pasta, rice, cereal
- Canned tuna, chicken, beans, soup
- Canned fruits & veggies
- Peanut butter & jelly
- Baby food, formula, diapers & wipes
- Menstrual products, toothpaste & soap
- Denver7 Gives has created a campaign to help Coloradans struggling with food insecurity. Click on the form below and select “Help Fight Food Insecurity“ to donate.
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