The Denver Nuggets pulled off one of the most thrilling comebacks of the season. Denver erased a 23-point deficit against the Atlanta Hawks to secure a 134-133 victory on December 5, 2025. Nikola Jokic led the charge with an explosive third quarter that shifted momentum completely.
🔥 Quick Facts
- The Nuggets defeated the Hawks 134-133 in a one-point thriller on the road
- Nikola Jokic scored 40 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists in 35 minutes
- Denver came back from 23 points down to extend their road winning streak to 9 consecutive games
- The Hawks shot 43.5% from three-point range in the first half but couldn’t maintain the lead
Jokic’s Dominant Third Quarter Sparks the Comeback
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The Denver Nuggets looked completely outmatched through the first 24 minutes of play. Atlanta’s explosive shooting put the Nuggets in an early hole they couldn’t seem to escape. The Hawks scored 73 points before halftime, with six different players reaching double figures.
Nikola Jokic struggled early, shooting just 2 for 13 from the floor in the first half despite reaching 10 points at intermission. Everything changed in the third quarter when the MVP candidate found his rhythm. Jokic took over the paint and shot a perfect 5 for 5 from two-point range to start the second half.
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The Nuggets exploded for 40 points in the third quarter behind Jokic’s 19-point performance in that frame alone, shooting 100% from the field. Denver cut what appeared to be an insurmountable 23-point deficit down to just nine points heading into the final quarter.
Second Unit Seals the Victory with Fourth-Quarter Three-Point Barrage
Jamal Murray and Cam Johnson took over in the fourth quarter when Jokic rested, maintaining the momentum the MVP had established. The Nuggets’ role players caught fire from long range with Murray, Johnson, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Bruce Brown all connecting on crucial three-pointers.
Denver opened the fourth quarter on an incredible stretch, hitting their first 7 three-pointers without a miss. Over a 12-minute stretch without Jokic on the floor, the Nuggets outscored the Hawks by 16 points. This dominant bench unit performance proved decisive in securing the one-point victory.
Murray finished with 23 points and 12 assists, while Cameron Johnson contributed 16 points and Hardaway Jr. added 17 points from beyond the arc. The balanced scoring attack made it impossible for Atlanta to contain Denver’s offensive firepower.
Hawks’ Explosive First Half Falls Short Despite 73 Points
| Statistic | Denver Nuggets | Atlanta Hawks |
| Final Score | 134 | 133 |
| Three-Point Percentage | 43.2% (16-37) | 43.5% (20-46) |
| Road Winning Streak | 9 Consecutive | Streak Ended |
| Largest Lead | Late Comeback | 23 Points |
Atlanta’s Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the Hawks with 30 points and Kristaps Porzingis added 25 points after his return from injury. Jalen Johnson nearly recorded a triple-double with 21 points, 18 rebounds, and 16 assists, but it wasn’t enough to hold off Denver’s furious second-half rally.
The Hawks shot 51.6% from the floor and made 20 three-pointers, impressive offensive numbers that would normally secure a victory. However, their defense couldn’t contain the Nuggets’ three-point shooting down the stretch, allowing Denver to outscore them when it mattered most.
How Could the Hawks Blow a 23-Point Lead This Late?
Atlanta dominated the first half with six different scorers reaching double figures before intermission, showing no signs of the collapse to come. The Hawks started the first quarter with 6 three-pointers in their first 8 minutes, forcing Denver to burn two timeouts early.
Denver’s defense was porous throughout the opening 24 minutes, and the Nuggets’ own offense couldn’t find rhythm despite Jokic drawing fouls at a high rate. The turning point came when Jokic shifted to attacking the paint in the third quarter instead of settling for outside shots.
Atlanta lacked Trae Young due to injury, which impacted their ability to control the tempo and manage the game down the stretch. The Hawks’ defensive transition game broke down in the fourth quarter when Denver’s bench unit went on its three-point shooting spree, with no one able to recover in time to contest shots.
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.