Dallas Mavericks vs Denver Nuggets Match Player Stats

The dallas mavericks vs denver nuggets match player stats from the March 2026 meeting tell the story of a high-scoring game decided by elite shot-making, Denver’s three-point efficiency, and two extraordinary individual performances. The Denver Nuggets defeated the Dallas Mavericks 142-135 at Ball Arena in a game that featured 53 points from Jamal Murray and a remarkable 23-point, 21-rebound, 19-assist performance from Nikola Jokic. Dallas stayed within striking distance throughout much of the night, but Denver produced enough offensive quality to protect its lead and complete the win.

For readers looking beyond the final score, this game provides several useful lessons. Denver did not simply win because Murray scored 53 points. The Nuggets also shot 56% from the field, converted 50% of their three-point attempts, created 36 assists, and controlled the game with a combination of efficient shooting and Jokic’s playmaking. Dallas, meanwhile, shot 49% overall and scored 135 points, which would normally be enough to give a team an excellent chance to win. The difference was that Denver generated more efficient offense while producing a stronger second and third quarter.

The official NBA game record confirms the 142-135 result, the quarter-by-quarter scoring, the attendance of 19,837, and the major individual performances from Murray, Jokic, Cooper Flagg, and P.J. Washington.

Dallas Mavericks vs Denver Nuggets Match Player Stats

The most important numbers from this matchup can be understood by separating team production from individual performances.

Category	Dallas Mavericks	Denver Nuggets
Final Score	135	142
Q1	33	34
Q2	26	34
Q3	41	43
Q4	35	31
Field Goals	48-97	50-89
Field Goal %	49%	56%
Three-Pointers	12-35	19-38
Three-Point %	34%	50%
Free Throws	27-34	23-29
Free Throw %	79%	79%
Rebounds	42	45
Assists	31	36
Turnovers	4	9
Steals	3	1
Blocks	3	1

The numbers show how close the game was in several areas. Dallas actually committed only four turnovers compared with Denver’s nine, and the Mavericks also stayed competitive on the glass with 42 rebounds against Denver’s 45.

The biggest statistical separation came from shooting.

Denver made 50 of 89 field-goal attempts, while Dallas made 48 of 97. That means Denver needed eight fewer attempts to make two more field goals. The difference became even clearer from three-point range. Denver made 19 of 38 threes, while Dallas made 12 of 35.

That seven-three-pointer advantage is significant in a seven-point game.

Game Overview and Final Score

The Nuggets entered the matchup with a 46-28 record and a strong 22-13 home mark. Dallas came into the game at 23-50 overall and 9-27 on the road.

Denver ultimately won 142-135, but the score does not suggest that Dallas was out of the contest for most of the evening.

The first quarter was almost even. Denver led 34-33 after 12 minutes. The Nuggets then created separation in the second quarter by outscoring Dallas 34-26. That eight-point advantage gave Denver a 68-59 halftime lead.

Dallas responded strongly after halftime.

The Mavericks scored 41 points in the third quarter and reduced the gap several times. Their offensive pressure was enough to turn what looked like a comfortable Denver advantage into a competitive fourth quarter.

Denver answered by scoring 43 points in the third quarter.

That response was important because it stopped Dallas from completely changing the game’s momentum.

The Mavericks then scored 35 points in the fourth quarter compared with Denver’s 31. Dallas continued to attack and remained within range late, but Denver had already created enough cushion to survive the final push.

The official game recap notes that Dallas reduced Denver’s lead to 127-126 with 4:20 remaining. Denver then responded with a crucial sequence involving Jokic and Murray that helped close the game.

Jamal Murray’s 53-Point Performance

Jamal Murray was the biggest individual reason Denver won.

He finished with:

• 53 points
• 19-of-28 field goals
• 9-of-14 three-pointers
• 6-of-6 free throws
• 6 rebounds
• 4 assists

Murray’s 53 points were particularly impressive because his scoring did not depend on free throws. He made only six free throws while doing most of his damage from the field.

His field-goal efficiency was outstanding.

Murray made 19 of 28 shots, which is approximately 67.9% from the field. He also converted nine of his 14 attempts from three-point range, good for approximately 64.3% from beyond the arc.

That combination is extremely difficult for an opposing defense to overcome.

The official NBA recap reported that Murray scored 33 points in the first half, including 18 points during the second quarter.

The timing of those points mattered.

Dallas entered halftime down nine. If Murray had not produced that first-half scoring burst, the Mavericks could have entered the third quarter with a much different level of confidence.

Instead, Denver had an offensive foundation that allowed Jokic to control the game in other ways.

Why Murray’s Shooting Changed the Game

Murray’s performance illustrates why raw scoring totals should always be examined alongside shooting efficiency.

A player can score 40 points on a large number of attempts and still leave his team with an inefficient offensive night. Murray’s 53 points came on 28 field-goal attempts.

That means Dallas had difficulty forcing him into low-value possessions.

His nine made threes were especially damaging because they allowed Denver to build a large scoring total without requiring constant trips to the free-throw line.

The Mavericks were able to score 135 points themselves, yet they still could not keep pace with Murray’s efficiency.

Nikola Jokic’s Near Historic Triple-Double

Jokic produced one of the most unusual statistical lines of the game.

He finished with:

• 23 points
• 21 rebounds
• 19 assists
• 8-of-19 field goals
• 1-of-5 three-pointers
• 6-of-6 free throws

Jokic missed the statistical mark for a 20-point, 20-rebound, 20-assist game by only one assist.

The significance of the performance goes beyond the near milestone.

Jokic did not need to score 40 or 50 points because Murray was carrying a huge scoring load. Instead, Jokic influenced the game through rebounding and passing.

His 19 assists were particularly important.

Denver finished with 36 total assists. Jokic’s 19 assists therefore accounted for more than half of the team’s recorded assists.

That tells us something important about Denver’s offensive structure. The Nuggets were not simply relying on one player to create shots. Jokic was repeatedly turning defensive attention into opportunities for teammates.

The official NBA coverage also noted that Jokic reached 6,000 career assists during the game and recorded his 30th career triple-double.

Jokic’s Rebounding Impact

Jokic’s 21 rebounds were also critical.

Dallas finished with 42 rebounds as a team, while Denver recorded 45. Jokic therefore accounted for nearly half of Denver’s total rebounding production.

That matters because rebounds influence both possession control and defensive stability.

When Jokic secured defensive rebounds, Dallas had fewer opportunities to create second chances.

When he collected offensive rebounds, Denver could extend possessions and force Dallas to defend repeatedly.

This is one reason looking only at points can miss the real story of a Jokic performance.

Cooper Flagg Leads Dallas

For Dallas, rookie Cooper Flagg led the Mavericks with 26 points.

His final line included:

• 26 points
• 8 rebounds
• 7 assists
• 10-of-18 field goals
• 1-of-4 three-pointers
• 5-of-6 free throws
• 2 steals
• 1 block

Flagg shot 55.6% from the field and contributed in multiple areas.

His 26 points made him Dallas’ leading scorer, but his seven assists also showed that his offensive contribution was not limited to scoring.

The official NBA box score confirms Flagg’s 26-point, eight-rebound and seven-assist performance.

The most encouraging part of his performance for Dallas was his efficiency.

He made 10 of 18 field-goal attempts. That is a much different offensive profile from a player who needs 25 or 30 shots to reach the same scoring total.

Flagg also committed no turnovers in the recorded box score, which is notable for a player carrying a substantial offensive responsibility.

P.J. Washington’s Double-Digit Rebounding

P.J. Washington was another important contributor for Dallas.

He finished with:

• 19 points
• 15 rebounds
• 1 assist
• 8-of-15 field goals
• 1-of-5 three-pointers
• 2-of-2 free throws
• 1 block

His 15 rebounds were the most for Dallas.

Washington’s rebounding helped the Mavericks remain competitive despite Denver’s size and Jokic’s dominant work on the glass.

His eight made field goals also gave Dallas efficient scoring from the frontcourt.

The problem was that Dallas needed even more production because Denver’s primary players were operating at an exceptional level.

Naji Marshall Adds 22 Points

Naji Marshall scored 22 points for Dallas.

His production was important because it gave the Mavericks another reliable scoring option alongside Flagg and Washington.

Dallas therefore had three players who could generate significant offensive production.

That helped explain why the Mavericks reached 135 points despite losing.

The issue was not that Dallas could not score.

The issue was that Denver scored 142 while shooting substantially better from the field and from three-point range.

Other Dallas Contributors

Khris Middleton and Klay Thompson each finished with 11 points according to the supplied game data.

Those contributions mattered, but Dallas needed a more balanced offensive response to Murray’s scoring explosion.

The Mavericks did receive strong overall production from their main contributors, but Denver’s shooting efficiency created a margin that was difficult to erase.

The contrast is important.

Dallas scored 135 points while making 12 threes.

Denver scored 142 points while making 19 threes.

Seven additional made three-pointers represent 21 points before accounting for any other shooting differences.

Dallas Mavericks Team Shooting Analysis

Dallas finished 48-of-97 from the field.

That equals approximately 49.5%, which is consistent with the supplied 49% team percentage.

The Mavericks also made 12 of 35 three-point attempts.

That works out to approximately 34.3%.

Their free-throw shooting was stronger.

Dallas made 27 of 34 free throws for approximately 79.4%.

The overall picture is interesting because Dallas did not have a disastrous shooting night.

A 49% field-goal percentage is generally respectable.

The problem was that Denver was even better.

Denver Nuggets Team Shooting Analysis

Denver made 50 of 89 field-goal attempts.

That is approximately 56.2%.

The Nuggets also made 19 of 38 three-point attempts.

That is exactly 50%.

Their free-throw percentage was almost identical to Dallas at 23-of-29, or approximately 79.3%.

This combination created a clear efficiency advantage.

Denver took fewer shots but made more field goals.

That is one of the clearest ways to understand the final result.

Dallas attempted 97 field goals compared with Denver’s 89. Despite taking eight more attempts, Dallas made two fewer field goals.

Denver’s ability to convert its opportunities at a higher rate was decisive.

The Three-Point Difference

Three-point shooting was arguably the most important team-level difference.

Dallas:

12 made threes on 35 attempts

Denver:

19 made threes on 38 attempts

Denver made seven more three-pointers while attempting only three more.

That produced a 21-point advantage in made three-point baskets.

Dallas could partially compensate through free throws and other scoring areas, but not enough to overcome that gap.

For modern NBA analysis, this is an important lesson.

A team can score efficiently inside the arc and still lose if the opponent combines strong overall shooting with elite three-point accuracy.

Denver did exactly that.

The Rebounding Battle

Denver won the total rebounding battle 45-42.

The margin was only three rebounds, so this was not a case of one team completely controlling the boards.

Still, Jokic’s 21 rebounds were a major individual advantage.

Dallas had a strong rebounding performance from Washington, who collected 15.

That limited Denver’s ability to dominate the glass as a team.

However, Denver did not need a huge rebounding advantage because its shooting efficiency created the larger statistical separation.

Assists and Ball Movement

Denver finished with 36 assists compared with Dallas’ 31.

Both numbers demonstrate substantial ball movement.

The difference was the role Jokic played.

His 19 assists were more than half of Denver’s total.

This meant that Dallas had to account for Jokic as both a scorer and a passer.

If defenders collapsed toward him, he could find a shooter.

If they stayed home on shooters, he could create his own scoring opportunity.

That dual threat is difficult to defend without forcing significant tradeoffs.

Turnovers Tell an Interesting Story

Dallas committed only four turnovers.

Denver committed nine.

Normally, a five-turnover advantage would be a major positive for the team with fewer turnovers.

Dallas did benefit from protecting the ball.

However, the Mavericks could not fully capitalize on that advantage because Denver’s shooting efficiency was so strong.

This is an excellent example of why box-score analysis should not isolate a single category.

Dallas won the turnover battle.

Denver won the game.

Both statements can be true because basketball outcomes are driven by the combined effect of shooting, rebounding, turnovers, free throws, and possession quality.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

First Quarter

Dallas scored 33 points.

Denver scored 34.

The opening period was highly competitive, with neither team establishing a major advantage.

Denver’s one-point lead indicated that Dallas had enough offensive production to stay connected from the start.

Second Quarter

The second quarter was where Denver created its first meaningful separation.

The Nuggets scored 34 points while Dallas scored 26.

That eight-point swing moved Denver into a 68-59 halftime advantage.

Murray’s scoring was central to that stretch.

Third Quarter

Dallas responded with 41 points.

That was an excellent offensive quarter and gave the Mavericks renewed momentum.

However, Denver scored 43.

Instead of allowing Dallas to erase the deficit, Denver increased its advantage by two more points.

That was one of the most important stretches of the game.

Fourth Quarter

Dallas won the fourth quarter 35-31.

The Mavericks continued fighting and made the game highly competitive late.

According to the official recap, Dallas reduced the deficit to one point at 127-126 with 4:20 remaining.

Denver then produced the crucial closing sequence and protected the win.

Why Dallas Lost Despite Scoring 135 Points

The most obvious answer is Denver’s shooting.

But there is more to it.

Dallas scored 135 points, which means its offense was good enough to win many NBA games.

The problem was that Denver reached 142 while being significantly more efficient.

The Mavericks attempted 97 field goals.

Denver attempted 89.

Dallas therefore had eight more field-goal attempts but still finished seven points behind.

The key issue was conversion.

Denver’s 56% shooting compared with Dallas’ 49% created a major efficiency gap.

Denver’s 50% three-point shooting widened that advantage.

Why Denver Won

Denver’s win can be explained through four major factors.

1. Murray’s Shot-Making

Murray scored 53 points on 19-of-28 shooting.

That gave Denver an elite scoring foundation.

2. Jokic’s Complete Game

Jokic contributed 23 points, 21 rebounds and 19 assists.

His ability to influence every area prevented Dallas from focusing solely on Murray.

3. Three-Point Efficiency

Denver made 19 threes compared with Dallas’ 12.

That seven-basket advantage was enormous.

4. Second and Third Quarter Control

Denver won the second quarter by eight and the third by two.

Those two periods created enough separation for the Nuggets to survive Dallas’ strong fourth quarter.

Season Series Context

The matchup was part of a four-game season series.

Based on the supplied results, the teams split the series 2-2.

The four meetings were:

• Game 1: Dallas 131, Denver 121
• Game 2: Denver 130, Dallas 131
• Game 3: Denver 118, Dallas 109
• Game 4: Denver 142, Dallas 135

The final game therefore ended the season series without either team establishing overall dominance.

That is useful context when evaluating the matchup.

A 2-2 season series suggests that individual game conditions and execution mattered significantly.

What the Matchup Says About Dallas

Dallas showed that it could generate a large offensive total even against a high-level Denver team.

Scoring 135 points should not be dismissed.

Flagg’s 26 points, Marshall’s 22 and Washington’s 19 gave Dallas a strong scoring base.

The Mavericks also protected the basketball extremely well with only four turnovers.

Their challenge was efficiency.

Against a team capable of making half its three-point attempts, Dallas needed to either match the perimeter production or create a major advantage somewhere else.

It did neither to a sufficient degree.

What the Matchup Says About Denver

Denver demonstrated the value of having multiple forms of offensive creation.

Murray supplied extraordinary scoring.

Jokic supplied rebounding, passing and efficient interior production.

The two stars complemented each other rather than competing for the same role.

Murray could attack as a scorer while Jokic operated as the central playmaking hub.

That combination forced Dallas to defend multiple threats simultaneously.

The result was 142 points.

A Practical Way to Read These Player Stats

When evaluating a box score like this, it is tempting to begin with points.

That is useful, but it is not enough.

A better approach is to examine the game in layers.

First, look at scoring efficiency.

Second, compare three-point production.

Third, examine turnovers and offensive rebounds.

Fourth, identify who created shots for teammates.

Finally, look at how individual performances affected the game’s critical stretches.

Using that approach makes this game easier to understand.

Murray’s 53 points matter because he scored efficiently.

Jokic’s 19 assists matter because they helped Denver create 36 team assists.

Washington’s 15 rebounds matter because Dallas needed control of the glass.

Flagg’s 26 points matter because he was an efficient primary scorer.

Each statistic becomes more useful when connected to the game’s actual outcome.

Key Statistical Takeaways

The most important numbers from this matchup were:

• Denver won 142-135.
• Jamal Murray scored 53 points.
• Murray shot 19-of-28 from the field.
• Murray made 9 of 14 three-pointers.
• Nikola Jokic recorded 23 points, 21 rebounds and 19 assists.
• Cooper Flagg led Dallas with 26 points.
• P.J. Washington collected 15 rebounds.
• Naji Marshall scored 22 points.
• Dallas shot approximately 49% from the field.
• Denver shot approximately 56% from the field.
• Dallas made 12 three-pointers.
• Denver made 19 three-pointers.
• Dallas committed four turnovers.
• Denver committed nine turnovers.
• Denver finished with 36 assists.
• Dallas finished with 31 assists.
• Denver won the rebounding battle 45-42.
• The season series finished tied at 2-2.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who led the Dallas Mavericks in scoring?

Cooper Flagg led Dallas with 26 points. He also contributed eight rebounds and seven assists.

Who scored 53 points for the Denver Nuggets?

Jamal Murray scored 53 points. He shot 19-of-28 from the field and made nine three-pointers.

What were Nikola Jokic’s stats against Dallas?

Nikola Jokic finished with 23 points, 21 rebounds and 19 assists. He narrowly missed a 20-point, 20-rebound, 20-assist game by one assist.

What was the final score of Mavericks vs Nuggets?

Denver defeated Dallas 142-135 at Ball Arena.

Which team shot better?

Denver shot better from both the field and three-point range. The Nuggets shot approximately 56% from the field and 50% from three, compared with approximately 49% and 34% for Dallas.

What was the season series between Dallas and Denver?

The season series finished tied 2-2, with each team winning two games.

Conclusion

The dallas mavericks vs denver nuggets match player stats reveal a game that was much more competitive than the final seven-point margin might suggest.

Dallas produced 135 points, shot close to 50% from the field, committed only four turnovers and received strong performances from Cooper Flagg, P.J. Washington and Naji Marshall.

Denver simply produced an exceptional offensive performance at the other end.

Jamal Murray’s 53 points were the headline number, and deservedly so. His 19-of-28 shooting and nine made three-pointers gave Denver a scoring advantage that Dallas could not fully neutralize.

Nikola Jokic made the performance even more difficult to contain. His 23 points, 21 rebounds and 19 assists showed how effectively he could influence the game without needing to lead the team in scoring.

The most revealing team statistic was three-point shooting. Denver made 19 threes compared with Dallas’ 12. That seven-basket difference created a 21-point gap in made three-point scoring, which was critical in a game decided by seven points.

Dallas also showed plenty of positives. Flagg’s 26-point performance was efficient, Washington controlled the boards with 15 rebounds, and the Mavericks protected the ball exceptionally well.

Ultimately, Denver’s combination of elite shot-making, Jokic’s all-around control and stronger three-point efficiency was enough to secure the 142-135 victory.

For readers analyzing the dallas mavericks vs denver nuggets match player stats, the biggest lesson is that individual scoring totals only tell part of the story. Murray’s scoring, Jokic’s playmaking, Denver’s perimeter efficiency and Dallas’ ability to stay competitive all need to be considered together to understand why the Nuggets won.