Sacramento Kings vs Denver Nuggets player stats and box score (March 5) | 2024-25 NBA season

Two Western Conference teams dealing with frontcourt injuries squared off in Wednesday’s matchup between the Sacramento Kings and Denver Nuggets, with Kings big man Domantas Sabonis and Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon both sidelined.

The Nuggets erased a 14-point deficit to stun the Kings, who had entered the game as the hotter team on a four-game winning streak. With the victory, Denver improved to 40-22, while Sacramento dropped to 32-29.

Russell Westbrook led the charge for the Nuggets, delivering 25 points on 10-for-20 shooting along with five rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks. MVP contender Nikola Jokic recorded a dominant double-double with 22 points, 15 rebounds and six assists.

Jamal Murray contributed 24 points and eight assists, while Michael Porter Jr. added 13 points and 12 rebounds. Christian Braun also stepped up with 15 points and seven assists in the win.

DeMar DeRozan shouldered the offensive load for the Kings, scoring 35 points on 14-for-32 shooting. Zach LaVine chipped in 20 points, while Jonas Valanciunas posted a solid 19-point, 13-rebound performance.

Below is the box score for the Sacramento Kings vs Denver Nuggets game.

Sacramento Kings vs Denver Nuggets player stats and box score

Sacramento Kings player stats

PLAYER	MIN	PTS	REB	AST	FGM	FGA	FG%	3PM	3PA	3P%	FTM	FTA	FT%	OREB	DREB	STL	BLK	TO	PF	=+/-
DeMar DeRozan	20:53	13	3	2	5	15	33.3	0	0	0.0	3	4	75.0	3	0	0	0	2	0	3
Keegan Murray	12:30	4	1	0	2	3	66.7	0	0	0.0	0	0	0.0	1	0	0	1	0	3	8
Jonas Valančiūnas	14:39	14	7	5	6	10	60.0	0	0	0.0	2	2	100	3	4	1	0	1	2	8
Zach LaVine	19:00	6	3	3	2	5	40.0	1	2	50.0	1	2	50.0	0	3	1	0	0	0	14
Keon Ellis	19:42	9	5	2	3	4	75.0	1	2	50.0	2	2	100	0	5	1	1	0	0	12
Markelle Fultz	05:38	0	1	0	0	1	0.0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0.0	0	1	0	1	1	0	2
Jake LaRavia	11:08	15	2	0	6	7	85.7	3	4	75.0	0	0	0.0	1	1	1	0	1	3	5
Trey Lyles	11:30	4	3	1	2	5	40.0	0	2	0.0	0	0	0.0	0	3	1	0	1	1	2
Doug McDermott	05:00	0	1	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0.0	0	1	0	1	0	0	-4
TOTALS		65	31	13	26	50	52.0	5	10	50.0	8	10	80.0	8	18	5	4	6	9	-

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	38:14	15	2	7	5	10	50.0	3	6	50.0	2	2	100	2	0	1	1	2	0	8
Michael Porter Jr.	36:10	13	12	0	5	13	38.5	1	7	14.3	2	2	100	2	10	0	1	0	1	2
Nikola Jokić	38:08	22	15	6	9	18	50.0	0	2	0.0	4	6	66.7	5	10	1	0	6	3	-7
Russell Westbrook	35:24	25	5	3	10	20	50.0	4	7	57.1	1	1	100	1	4	2	2	4	2	6
Jamal Murray	38:18	24	4	8	4	10	40.0	2	6	33.3	14	15	93.3	0	4	0	1	0	3	21
Jalen Pickett	17:57	5	2	3	2	5	40.0	1	3	33.3	0	0	0.0	0	2	0	0	0	2	-9
Zeke Nnaji	18:55	10	3	0	4	7	57.1	1	3	33.3	1	2	50.0	1	2	1	3	1	1	9
Peyton Watson	16:54	2	3	1	1	4	25.0	0	1	0.0	0	2	0.0	0	3	0	0	0	2	0
TOTALS		116	57	28	40	87	46.0	12	35	34.3	24	30	80.0	11	35	5	8	13	14	-

Sacramento Kings vs Denver Nuggets: Game recap

The Kings' high-powered offense got off to a fast start, helping them build a 24-19 lead midway through the first quarter. They then broke the game open, finishing the period on a 15-4 run to take a 42-29 advantage, led by Jake LaRavia’s 11 points in the frame.

Denver improved in the second quarter but couldn’t significantly cut into the deficit, as the Kings maintained a 65-55 lead at halftime.

LaRavia led all scorers at the break with 15 points, while Jonas Valanciunas and DeMar DeRozan chipped in 14 and 13 points, respectively.

Jamal Murray had 11 first-half points, going 8-for-9 from the free-throw line, while Nikola Jokic contributed 10 points and five rebounds.

The Nuggets struggled on the boards, getting outrebounded 31-23 in the first half and allowing eight offensive rebounds to the Kings.

The third quarter saw both teams go back and forth, with the Kings maintaining a nine-point lead heading into the final period. However, the Nuggets caught fire in the fourth, and three free throws from Murray gave them a 104-102 lead with four minutes to play.

LaVine responded by trading 3-pointers with Murray and Westbrook to keep Sacramento within striking distance at 113-110, but the Kings couldn't capitalize on their chances down the stretch, and Murray iced the game at the free-throw line.