The Nets played at home against the Nuggets, Harden was suspended due to left hamstring tension, and the Big Three were collectively absent. In the end, the Nets lost 118-124 to the Nuggets and suffered three consecutive losses.
Aldridge and Mills opened the game with two shots. But Barton hit three consecutive points and cut the dunk. Jokic dunked, three-pointers, and the Nuggets led 15-4. Ader hit two free throws, Bembry, James Johnson, Edwards hit the basket consecutively, and then Bembry scored twice, Thomas hit the shot, and the Nets rebounded 24-22! Austin Rivers hit a three-pointer to give the Nuggets a 29-28 lead in the first quarter.
Cousins scored seven straight points in the second quarter as Forbes hit a long-range shot to give the Nuggets a 41-37 lead. Javin Carter responded with three points, Cameron Thomas made two three-pointers and the Nets completed the comeback. Gordon scored consecutive baskets, Ard and Carter were all open inside and outside, and Ard played twice to make 2+1 under the basket, and the Net led by 11 points at halftime 65-54.
In the third quarter, Barton broke out again, making free throws, dunks, three-pointers, all the baskets, Jokic assisted Jeff Green dunk, and the Nuggets chased 70-73! Bemburi and Ade responded with two goals, but Jokic scored five consecutive points, Jeff Green quickly hit the attack, and then made a second offense to make a free throw, and the Nuggets rebounded 81-79! Rivers hit three three-pointers to score 11 points at the end of the quarter, but Thomas also scored seven points in the final minute, and the Nets trailed 91-96 in the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Cousins was expelled with a bad blow, Thomas and Rivers scored three points, mills hit a three-pointer, and the Nets chased to 99 draws. Jokic hit a shot, Rivers Jr. hit another three-pointer, Jokic made a 2+1 layup, and the Nuggets stabilized the situation. Mills then made a three-point dash, Johnson hit fast, and the Nets trailed to 113-116! The two teams took turns to play iron, and Gordon's final 3-minute jumper gave the Nuggets a five-point advantage. Jokic made four consecutive free throws, Morris broke through to the layup, and the Nuggets led by 10 points in the last 45 seconds, and the game lost suspense.
Jokic had 26 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists on 8-of-13 shooting, Barton had 21 points, 10 rebounds and four assists, Gordon had 10 points and five rebounds, Morris had 10 points, Rivers had 25 points on 7-of-10 three-pointers and Cousins had 13 points.
Ader had 18 points and eight rebounds, Mills 21 points, Johnson 12 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and three steals, Bemburi 14 points, Thomas 25 points and Carter 13 points.