Summary: Denver Nuggets are their biggest enemy until the last second, losing 110-112 to the Washington Wizards.

The Denver Nuggets had hoped to get a refund against a Washington Wizards team that beat them just a week ago in the waning moments, but it was not intended. Despite great performances from Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. Bradley Beal, Russell Westbrook and Denver’s own disability seems to be too much. Gave up 10 offensive rebounds, committed 18 turnovers and one thought a bad endgame later and the Nuggets lost again against Washington. Wizards take it 112-110.

The attack was few to start the match. The Nuggets could not buy a basket, but neither could the Wizards and they combined for four points in the first two minutes. Jokic then took over the offense and scored Denver’s first seven points, while Beal got it going for Washington. Denver certainly missed 5 layups to open the game, but halfway through the first time, they still took a one-point lead. They then got a little sloppy with the ball and Washington pulled ahead. Rui Hachimura teamed up with a few baskets and the lead of Wizards grew. Denver stopped the bleeding but could not close the gap. After a quarter, the Nuggets had seven turnovers and were left with four points.

The offense struggled to open the second quarter just like the first quarter, two minutes into the second time the Nuggets found themselves with nine. It was still tough sledding and also a lot of jump shots as the quarter progressed. However, the Nuggets defense was good, so the Wizards’ lead did not grow. Eventually, they found some rhythm and began to cut the lead, but oddly enough, Jokic was not really involved in the offense either. However, Washington’s offense has completely disappeared, so the lead has diminished. Joker almost started picking up basketball and started making shots. With the attention on him, he hits Facu Campazzo in the corner for an open try that gives Denver the lead. The teams went back and forth to conclude the half with Washington at the end.

The Nuggets again focus on attacking the basket to open the second half, but also lose some focus on the defensive side. Denver held on to things, but they just kept shooting themselves in the foot preventing them from regaining the lead. MPJ heated up the middle of the quarter and kept Denver close, but then they started unraveling a bit, causing the Wizards to get up by seven and force Michael Malone to a time-out. Eventually, the Nuggets started making a few tries, led by Jokic, of course, and returned within two, but like an hour, they turned it around and gave a layup on the other side. Denver, however, did not want to give up, but kept pushing with the three ball and kept the Wizards inside a bucket or two. Jokic found Zeke Nnaji in the last minute of the quarter with a beautiful feed to finally get Denver back in front. After three, everyone is tied at 88.

Murray was aggressive to start the fourth and got two quick pickups to get Denver ahead again. The Nuggets then maintained the lead, but the Wizards did not go away either. Murray, Porter and Jokic carried the load, halfway through the quarter they still held on to a two-point lead. The lead should have been double digits, but the Nuggets just couldn’t stop making mistakes. Porter was a great example that the Wizards got ahead of again. It was clear that the game was going to come down to the wire. Washington still got a second chance and converted, giving them a four-point lead with a four-minute lead. The Nuggets are within two with 30 seconds left and get the ball for a final possession. Murray inexplicably stops a quick break at the three-point line, seems to get lost for a second and throws a late pass to Facu who misses the three at the buzzer. Nuggets lost 112-110.