Denver, CO
Stats Rundown: 4 stats to know from the Mavericks 107-105 victory over the Denver Nuggets

The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Denver Nuggets 107-105 on one of the most fantastical game winners in recent memory. Kyrie Irving made a running, left-handed baby sky hook, over a solid contest from Nikola Jokic to win the game.
This game showed very clearly the Mavericks’ flaws and why those flaws may not matter in a short series. The Mavericks dominated the Nuggets in the paint and on the boards. Luka Doncic and Irving made critical shots at important times. The Mavericks used their new-found length and athleticism to make the Nuggets struggle just enough.
Here are the stats to know:
2: Kyrie Irving has now hit two official game winners
This shot will never compare with his shot over Stephen Curry in the finals, given the stakes. But, it is one of the most impressive makes in a career full of incredible shot-making. Irving is the hero of this game, and he deserves absolutely all of the flowers. He finished the game with 24 points, seven rebounds, nine assists, three steals and a block as he contributed in every way throughout the game.
37: Points scored by Luka Doncic
This wasn’t Doncic’s best game. The Nuggets have size, length and athleticism to throw at him in droves and they bothered him. Doncic has become the basketball version of Novocain though. Just give him time, he always works. He also chipped in nine rebounds. He only had three assists but that was because the Mavericks couldn’t make shots.
20: Points the Mavericks outscored the Nuggets by with Derrick Jones Jr on the court
Derrick Jones Jr was fantastic defensively and on the boards all night. He missed all three of his three-point attempts, but he grabbed eight boards and contested shots all night. He was not credited with a block or a steal, but do not let that deter you from understanding the defensive impact he had. Jones was one of the best Mavericks tonight.
22: The Mavericks rebounding advantage
The Mavericks grabbed 59 rebounds to the Nuggets 37. This is literally how the Mavericks won the game. They crushed the Nuggets inside despite Jokic grabbing 11 rebounds. PJ Washington was the only Maverick in double digits, as he matched Jokic with 11 rebounds. This was really just a story of the Mavericks pursuing the ball with relentless aggression and being rewarded with rebounds and ultimately a win for their efforts.
Overall, this was a very fun game, with the best possible outcome.
You can listen to our latest podcast episode in the player embedded below, and to make sure you don’t miss a single one moving forward, subscribe to the Pod Maverick podcast feed on Apple, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Pandora, Pocketcasts, YouTube, YouTube Podcasts, Amazon Music, Castbox.
You can check out our After Dark Recap podcasts, YouTube Live recordings, and guest shows on the Pod Maverick Podcast feed. Please subscribe, rate, and review.

Denver, CO
Windy across Colorado, rain and snow on Tuesday in Denver

Watch CBS News
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.
Denver, CO
Wizards at Nuggets final score: Washington tops Denver, 126-123

The Washington Wizards defeated the Denver Nuggets 126-123 on Saturday behind Jordan Poole’s game-winning 3-pointer with 1.8 seconds remaining.
Alex Sarr scored a career-high 34 points against three-time MVP Nikola Jokic. The rookie shot 12-for-28 from the field and 5-for-9 from 3-point range in Washington’s victory. Sarr scored 24 in the first half and drilled a clutch 3-pointer as the Wizards mounted their comeback.
Fellow rookie Kyshawn George was all over the place once again, blocking two shots, snatching three steals and scoring 19 points. George received a skip pass from Poole with 10 seconds left and drilled the go-ahead 3-ball before Jamal Murray tied the game with a mid-range bucket.
With 5.3 seconds remaining, Washington called timeout to draw up a play. That play wasn’t executed the way they expected, though, as upon receiving the inbounds pass, Poole launched a 35-foot 3-pointer. The Wizards guard drilled it, stunning the Denver crowd and propelling his squad to consecutive victories over playoff-caliber squads.
Washington is now 15-51 and tied with the Utah Jazz in the win column for the NBA’s worst record.
Denver, CO
Broncos Have Two Glaring Roster Holes Left With Free-Agent Options

The Denver Broncos had an active start to free agency by landing safety Talanoa Hufanga, linebacker Dre Greenlaw, and tight end Evan Engram. The Broncos had three priority positions to improve on, and they did.
Now that the Broncos have those main priorities done, they can shift their attention to a few of the secondary priorities. While they don’t have to be expensive signings, the Broncos should explore cheap free-agent targets to help insulate themselves for the draft.
With teams allowed to have 90 players on the roster, the Broncos currently have 66 players under contract, including re-signings and new additions. With 24 spaces left, the team still has room for some cheap signings.
The Broncos only have seven draft picks. Meanwhile, the team has signed 33 undrafted free agents in two years under head coach Sean Payton, which is 16.5 per year on average, though the NFL average is about 10-14. That leaves Denver with room for three or four more free-agent signings.
The main two needs left are adding a punter, as the Broncos currently don’t have one under contract, and a veteran running back. A recent report suggests the Broncos are out on the remaining free-agent punters, so maybe they’re waiting on a UFL punter or the draft. Either way, Denver should add two to compete for the job.
Running back is a position deep in the draft, with the Broncos linked to the top two in Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty and North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton. However, there have been some recent reports that both backs could hear their name called in the first 15 picks.
Adding a veteran running back would help protect the Broncos if they can’t land one of their top targets at the position. It’s hard to bet on Audric Estime, who struggled as a rookie, and Jaleel McLaughlin, who stepped up to close the season but struggled with consistency.
What happens next on the Broncos beat? Don’t miss out on any news and analysis! Take a second, sign up for our free newsletter, and get breaking Broncos news delivered to your inbox daily!
There are plenty of running back options, and the Broncos can look at targeting some of them. Due to his extensive injury history, Nick Chubb could be a buy-low option with the potential for a high return.
Usually, injury history may be an issue, but all three of the Broncos’ outside signings have dealt with injuries in their career. Denver was linked with J.K. Dobbins, who is also still available. Cam Akers, Jamaal Williams, and Ameer Abdullah are among the options still available.
After that, a few positions would be nice to add to. Adding a veteran center for additional competition with Luke Wattenberg and Alex Forsyth could help drive improvements.
Denver doesn’t currently have a fullback under contract, and a return of Michael Burton could be in the works. With Trent Sherfield signed for special teams, Denver could use a wide receiver who can contribute on offense for additional competition and help push its young core.
One of the positions that can be put up there with running back and punter is the interior defensive line. D.J. Jones was re-signed, but he and Malcolm Roach are both nose tackles. The type of player the Broncos need is more of that off-tackle player, the 4i/5-technique.
Right now, the Broncos have only one player that plays that position on the defensive line under contract for after the 2025 season: Eyioma Uwazurike. The immediate reason is to add competition for Uwazurike, Jordan Jackson, and Matt Henningsen. There are options in free agency that could add that competition, but it’s a position that may be better suited to add to the draft, though double-dipping wouldn’t hurt.
If the Broncos can add a punter and a running back, they’re set as they head into the draft. The Broncos still have cap space to work with, even with potential extensions looming, and they have space on the roster.
Follow Denver Broncos On SI/Mile High Huddle on Instagram, X, and Facebook and subscribe on YouTube for daily Broncos live-stream podcasts!
-
News1 week ago
Gene Hackman Lost His Wife and Caregiver, and Spent 7 Days Alone
-
Politics1 week ago
Republicans demand Trump cut American legal association out of nominee process
-
Politics1 week ago
Agriculture secretary cancels $600K grant for study on menstrual cycles in transgender men
-
News1 week ago
States sue Trump administration over mass firings of federal employees
-
News1 week ago
Trump Seeks to Bar Student Loan Relief to Workers Aiding Migrants and Trans Kids
-
Politics1 week ago
Kristi Noem says 2 leakers accused of disclosing ICE operations ID'd: 'Put law enforcement lives in jeopardy'
-
News5 days ago
Grieving Covid Losses, Five Years Later
-
World5 days ago
Ukraine accepts 30-day ceasefire in US talks: What it means for Russia war