Denver Nuggets vs Miami Heat player stats and box score (Jan. 17) | 2024-25 NBA season

The Denver Nuggets bounced back with a dominant 133-113 victory over the Miami Heat in Jimmy Butler's return. The reigning 2023 champions welcomed back Nikola Jokic, who had missed their previous game due to right elbow inflammation, and he delivered a triple-double performance.

Jokic ended the night with 24 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists, while Jamal Murray shone with 30 points on 12-of-24 shooting, adding eight assists and seven rebounds.

Aaron Gordon contributed 16 points in just 22 minutes off the bench. Julian Strawther and Michael Porter Jr. each added 14 points, Christian Braun had 12 and Russell Westbrook chipped in with 11 points and seven assists.

In his return from suspension, Butler scored 18 points on 7-of-15 shooting. Tyler Herro led Miami in scoring with 22 points, while Bam Adebayo posted a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Off the bench, Nikola Jovic tallied 16 points, and Terry Rozier added 13.

Below are the game stats.

Denver Nuggets vs Miami Heat box score

Denver Nuggets player stats

PLAYER	MIN	PTS	REB	AST	FGM	FGA	FG%	3PM	3PA	3P%	FTM	FTA	FT%	OREB	DREB	STL	BLK	TO	PF	=+/-
Christian Braun	26:46	12	2	0	6	10	60.0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0.0	0	2	0	0	0	1	10
Michael Porter Jr.	28:36	14	9	2	4	13	30.8	4	7	57.1	2	2	100	1	8	0	0	1	1	19
Nikola Jokić	30:37	24	12	10	9	12	75.0	1	2	50.0	5	5	100	2	10	1	0	2	1	6
Jamal Murray	37:28	30	7	8	12	24	50.0	2	7	28.6	4	4	100	2	5	3	1	0	0	19
Russell Westbrook	26:16	11	0	7	4	7	57.1	3	4	75.0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	1	12
Julian Strawther	25:43	14	1	1	5	9	55.6	4	7	57.1	0	1	0.0	0	1	0	0	0	2	9
Peyton Watson	17:52	3	1	2	1	4	25.0	0	1	0.0	1	2	50.0	0	1	1	0	0	1	6
Aaron Gordon	22:03	16	6	3	5	8	62.5	1	3	33.3	5	5	100	0	6	0	0	1	2	8
DeAndre Jordan	14:55	6	2	1	3	3	100	0	0	0.0	0	0	0.0	2	0	0	0	0	0	15
Hunter Tyson	02:26	3	0	0	1	1	100	1	1	100	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	-1
PJ Hall	02:26	0	1	1	0	0	0.0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0.0	0	1	0	0	1	1	-1
Zeke Nnaji	02:26	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	-1
Jalen Pickett	02:26	0	0	0	0	1	0.0	0	1	0.0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	-1
TOTALS		133	45	35	50	92	54.3	16	33	48.5	17	19	89.5	7	34	5	1	5	10	-

Miami Heat player stats

PLAYER	MIN	PTS	REB	AST	FGM	FGA	FG%	3PM	3PA	3P%	FTM	FTA	FT%	OREB	DREB	STL	BLK	TO	PF	=+/-
Jimmy Butler	33:15	18	3	2	7	15	46.7	0	2	0.0	4	4	100	2	1	0	0	1	0	-11
Haywood Highsmith	13:21	2	0	0	1	3	33.3	0	2	0.0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	3	-13
Bam Adebayo	32:38	16	11	4	7	15	46.7	0	2	0.0	2	2	100	3	8	0	0	1	2	-10
Duncan Robinson	26:29	8	1	7	3	5	60.0	2	4	50.0	0	0	0.0	0	1	0	0	0	3	-12
Tyler Herro	34:20	22	5	4	10	17	58.8	2	7	28.6	0	0	0.0	0	5	0	0	2	1	-18
Nikola Jović	30:51	16	4	4	6	12	50.0	2	7	28.6	2	2	100	0	4	0	0	4	2	-18
Jaime Jaquez Jr.	24:08	9	3	3	3	7	42.9	1	2	50.0	2	2	100	0	3	1	0	0	1	0
Terry Rozier	24:27	13	7	5	4	7	57.1	1	4	25.0	4	4	100	0	7	0	0	0	2	-7
Kel'el Ware	15:39	9	7	1	4	9	44.4	1	3	33.3	0	0	0.0	1	6	1	0	0	0	-13
Pelle Larsson	02:26	0	0	0	0	1	0.0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1
Keshad Johnson	02:26	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1
TOTALS		113	45	30	45	91	49.5	9	33	27.3	14	14	100	6	35	2	0	8	15	-

Denver Nuggets vs Miami Heat: Game recap

A rematch of the 2023 NBA Finals unfolded on Friday during the Denver Nuggets versus Miami Heat clash at Kaseya Center in Miami. This game was packed with storylines — not only due to the shared history between the two franchises but also because it marked the return of a disgruntled Jimmy Butler, who started for the Heat after serving a suspension.

Adding to the excitement was the reappearance of the iconic Miami Vice jerseys.

The Nuggets took control early in the first quarter, with Nikola Jokic stuffing the stat sheet with eight points, seven rebounds, and five assists. Denver outpaced Miami 30-24 in the opening period.

Though the Heat managed to keep the game competitive, the Nuggets elevated their play in the second quarter, extending their lead by another six points to head into halftime up 67-55.

Jamal Murray was the leading scorer at the half, tallying 20 points and four rebounds. Jokic added 12 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists to his impressive stat line.

Russell Westbrook and Christian Braun each contributed eight points, while Aaron Gordon chipped in 10 off the bench.

For the Heat, only two players reached double figures by halftime: Tyler Herro with 14 points and Bam Adebayo with 10. Jimmy Butler, still finding his rhythm, finished the half with eight points on just six shot attempts.

The Heat stayed competitive through the third quarter, matching the Nuggets 31-31 in scoring. However, Denver pulled away with a decisive 35-27 fourth quarter to secure the win.