Denver Nuggets vs Memphis Grizzlies Match Player Stats
Denver Nuggets vs Memphis Grizzlies match player stats tell a much more interesting story than the final score alone. Memphis defeated Denver 125-118 at FedExForum, ending an eight-game losing streak, while Denver entered the game with a 42-28 record and one of the stronger offensive profiles in the Western Conference. (NBA.com)
For readers checking the box score, the headline numbers are clear. Nikola Jokic produced 29 points, 14 rebounds and 9 assists for Denver, while Christian Braun scored 26 and Cameron Johnson added 20. Memphis received a career-level all-around performance from Ty Jerome, who finished with 21 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists. Olivier-Maxence Prosper added 19 points and GG Jackson scored 16. (NBA.com)
The game was decided less by Denver’s ability to score and more by what Memphis did with Denver’s mistakes. The Grizzlies forced 19 turnovers, converted those turnovers into 27 points and produced 12 steals. Jokic alone committed 10 turnovers, tying his career high. (NBA.com)
Game note: The official NBA game page lists the contest as March 18, 2026, while the game information rolls into March 19 after midnight. This is why some databases display March 19. The matchup was played at FedExForum in Memphis. (NBA.com)
Denver Nuggets vs Memphis Grizzlies Match Player Stats: Game Overview
The matchup ended with Memphis ahead 125-118 after four competitive quarters.
| Game Detail | Denver Nuggets | Memphis Grizzlies |
| Final Score | 118 | 125 |
| Record After Game | 42-28 | 24-44 |
| Field Goals | 44-90 | 42-98 |
| Field Goal % | 49% | 43% |
| Three-Pointers | 13-36 | 16-49 |
| Three-Point % | 36% | 33% |
| Free Throws | 17-22 | 25-32 |
| Free Throw % | 77% | 78% |
| Rebounds | 46 | 48 |
| Assists | 34 | 22 |
| Turnovers | 19 | 10 |
| Steals | 6 | 12 |
| Blocks | 5 | 9 |
The numbers immediately show why this was not a typical Denver defeat.
Denver shot better from the field, 49% compared with Memphis at 43%. The Nuggets also generated 34 assists, 12 more than Memphis. They had the more efficient shooting night and created considerably more assisted offense.
Memphis won the possession battle in another way. The Grizzlies committed only 10 turnovers compared with Denver’s 19. They also collected 12 steals and scored 27 points directly from Denver turnovers. That combination gave Memphis additional scoring opportunities even though the Nuggets were more efficient when they actually got their shots away. (NBA.com)
That is one of the most useful lessons from this box score. A team does not always need better shooting efficiency to win. Memphis generated enough extra possessions and transition opportunities to overcome Denver’s superior field-goal percentage.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
The scoring pattern explains when the game changed.
| Quarter | Denver | Memphis |
| 1st | 30 | 31 |
| 2nd | 30 | 29 |
| 3rd | 31 | 39 |
| 4th | 27 | 26 |
| Final | 118 | 125 |
The first half was almost perfectly balanced. Denver led the scoring 30-29 in the second quarter after Memphis took a 31-30 advantage in the opening period. The teams went into halftime tied at 60. (NBA.com)
The third quarter became the decisive stretch.
Memphis scored 39 points while Denver managed 31. That eight-point difference accounted for more than the final seven-point margin because Denver actually outscored Memphis 27-26 in the fourth quarter.
This is important when evaluating the player statistics. The final score can make the game appear close throughout, but the third quarter created the separation Memphis needed.
The Grizzlies used a strong offensive burst to build their largest lead to 11 points. Memphis then controlled enough of the closing possessions to protect that advantage.
Why the Third Quarter Mattered
The third quarter combined several Memphis strengths:
- Memphis increased its offensive pressure.
- Olivier-Maxence Prosper contributed heavily during the period.
- Denver’s turnover problems remained a factor.
- Memphis created transition chances from takeaways.
- The Grizzlies reached the free-throw line 32 times overall.
Denver had enough scoring power to respond, but the eight-point third-quarter deficit proved difficult to erase.
Nikola Jokic’s 29-Point Double-Double
Nikola Jokic was Denver’s most productive individual player.
He finished with:
- 29 points
- 14 rebounds
- 9 assists
- 1 steal
- 3 blocks
- 10 turnovers
- 11-of-19 shooting
- 2-of-4 from three-point range
- 5-of-8 from the free-throw line
From a traditional box-score perspective, that is an excellent performance. Jokic led Denver in scoring and rebounding and came within one assist of a triple-double.
But the 10 turnovers are impossible to ignore.
The Memphis defense did something valuable against Denver’s offensive engine: it made Jokic work under pressure while also attacking passing lanes and disrupting possessions around him.
The 10 turnovers tied Jokic’s career high. According to the Memphis team report, it was also his highest turnover total since November 3, 2022. (NBA.com)
That creates an important distinction between individual production and game impact.
Jokic scored 29 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, but Memphis extracted significant value from the possessions in which Denver failed to finish an offensive sequence. The Grizzlies turned Denver’s 19 turnovers into 27 points.
In other words, Jokic’s numbers were strong, but Memphis made Denver pay for inefficient possessions.
Jamal Murray’s Playmaking
Jamal Murray supplied one of Denver’s strongest secondary performances.
He recorded:
- 19 points
- 12 assists
- 8 rebounds
- 6-of-13 field goals
- 2-of-6 three-pointers
- 5-of-5 free throws
The 12 assists stand out.
Denver finished with 34 team assists, meaning Murray accounted for more than one-third of the Nuggets’ total assists. His playmaking helped Denver maintain a high level of offensive efficiency despite the loss.
The problem was that even high-quality offensive creation could not fully compensate for the turnover differential.
Murray also had only one turnover, which makes his performance particularly efficient from a possession-management standpoint. Jokic and Murray therefore produced very different turnover profiles in this matchup.
Murray protected the ball while creating offense. Jokic created enormous offensive value but was repeatedly pressured into mistakes.
That contrast is one of the more useful details for anyone analyzing these player statistics beyond points and rebounds.
Christian Braun’s 26 Points
Christian Braun provided Denver with an important scoring contribution.
He finished with:
- 26 points
- 7 rebounds
- 5 assists
- 11-of-19 shooting
- 2-of-5 from three-point range
- 2-of-2 free throws
- 4 steals
Braun’s 26 points came on efficient shooting, and his four steals were also significant.
His offensive performance helped keep Denver competitive, particularly because Memphis had stretches where its defensive activity disrupted Denver’s normal rhythm.
Braun also contributed across several categories rather than simply acting as a scorer. Seven rebounds, five assists and four steals demonstrate how broad his impact was.
However, his individual production did not prevent Memphis from controlling the overall possession battle.
Cameron Johnson’s Efficient Shooting
Cameron Johnson scored 20 points in 33 minutes.
His shooting line was particularly notable:
- 20 points
- 7-of-13 field goals
- 5-of-6 from three-point range
- 1-of-2 free throws
- 6 rebounds
- 3 assists
- 1 steal
(NBA.com)
Johnson shot 83.3% from three-point range, making five of his six attempts.
That was arguably Denver’s most efficient perimeter performance among its major scorers.
His shooting created valuable spacing around Jokic. When Denver had clean possessions, Johnson was able to punish Memphis from outside.
The challenge was volume and possession quality. Excellent individual shooting cannot completely offset 19 team turnovers.
Denver’s Other Contributors
Tim Hardaway Jr. supplied 11 points from the bench and made two of his 11 three-point attempts. Jonas Valanciunas scored four points in limited minutes, while Julian Strawther and Bruce Brown also saw action. (ESPN Africa)
Denver’s bench did not provide the same scoring impact as its primary group.
That matters because Memphis received meaningful contributions from multiple players beyond Jerome.
The Nuggets’ top four scoring contributors were:
- Nikola Jokic, 29
- Christian Braun, 26
- Cameron Johnson, 20
- Jamal Murray, 19
Those four players accounted for 94 of Denver’s 118 points.
That means the rest of the roster combined for only 24 points.
The distribution shows how dependent Denver was on its main offensive players in this game.
Ty Jerome’s Career-Level Performance
Ty Jerome was the central figure in Memphis’s victory.
He recorded:
- 21 points
- 9 rebounds
- 9 assists
- 8-of-15 field goals
- 5-of-8 three-pointers
- 2 steals
- 1 block
(ESPN)
Jerome narrowly missed a triple-double.
His nine rebounds and nine assists were both career highs, according to the Grizzlies’ official recap. He also made five three-pointers, which was a season high. (NBA.com)
The combination is particularly valuable because Memphis did not need Jerome to carry a massive scoring load.
Instead, he influenced the game through several channels.
He scored efficiently.
He created shots.
He rebounded.
He contributed defensively.
Most importantly, he helped Memphis maintain offensive balance while the team attacked Denver’s defensive weaknesses.
Olivier-Maxence Prosper Adds 19 Points
Olivier-Maxence Prosper scored 19 points in the Memphis starting lineup.
His line included:
- 19 points
- 6-of-9 shooting
- 3-of-5 from three
- 4-of-6 free throws
- 2 steals
(ESPN)
Prosper was especially important during the third quarter, when Memphis produced its 39-point explosion.
His three-point shooting gave Memphis another reliable source of perimeter scoring. At 3-of-5 from deep, he was efficient without needing excessive volume.
His +12 plus-minus also reflected the effectiveness of his minutes.
GG Jackson and Cedric Coward
GG Jackson added 16 points, six rebounds and two blocks.
He shot 6-of-15 from the field and contributed to Memphis’s defensive activity around the basket. (ESPN)
Cedric Coward recorded 15 points and seven rebounds. He shot 4-of-12 from the field but made all seven of his free throws.
Those performances were important because Memphis did not rely on one player to produce everything.
Jerome led the way, but Prosper, Jackson and Coward combined for another 50 points.
That gave Memphis enough scoring depth to survive Denver’s four major scoring performances.
Memphis Bench Production
Taylor Hendricks was particularly impactful from the Memphis bench.
He scored 13 points and produced:
- 6 steals
- 3 blocks
- 2 rebounds
- 1 assist
(ESPN)
The six steals were a career high, while the three blocks were a season high, according to the Grizzlies’ official report. (NBA.com)
That defensive contribution helps explain Memphis’s 12 total steals.
Memphis did not simply outscore Denver. It actively disrupted Denver’s offense.
Taylor Hendricks’ defensive activity was one of the clearest examples of that approach.
Shooting Comparison
One of the biggest statistical surprises is that Denver actually shot better.
Denver finished at:
- 49% from the field
- 36% from three
- 77% from the free-throw line
Memphis finished at:
- 43% from the field
- 33% from three
- 78% from the free-throw line
(NBA.com)
If someone looked only at shooting percentage, Denver would appear to have the statistical advantage.
But basketball is a possession-based sport.
Memphis attempted 98 field goals compared with Denver’s 90. That is eight additional field-goal attempts.
The Grizzlies also attempted 32 free throws compared with Denver’s 22.
Those additional opportunities helped Memphis compensate for its lower shooting efficiency.
Turnovers Were the Defining Statistic
The clearest statistical explanation for the final result is the turnover margin.
Denver committed 19 turnovers.
Memphis committed 10.
That is a nine-turnover difference.
Memphis also scored 27 points off Denver’s turnovers. (NBA.com)
This is where the game becomes easier to understand.
Denver had:
- Better field-goal percentage
- Better three-point percentage
- More assists
- Strong individual scoring
- A 29-point, 14-rebound performance from Jokic
Yet Memphis still won.
Why?
Because Memphis generated extra possessions and converted mistakes into points.
Nine additional turnovers represent a major opportunity gap over 48 minutes. When those possessions also lead to 27 points, they can erase substantial shooting advantages.
Rebounding Battle
Memphis finished with 48 rebounds while Denver collected 46.
That is a small two-rebound advantage for the Grizzlies.
However, Denver’s rebounding effort was led by Jokic, who grabbed 14.
Jokic alone collected nearly one-third of Denver’s total rebounds.
Memphis distributed its rebounding more broadly, with Jerome leading the team at nine and Coward contributing seven.
This is another example of different statistical structures producing similar outcomes.
Denver’s rebounding production was heavily concentrated in Jokic.
Memphis received contributions across the rotation.
Assist Differential
Denver recorded 34 assists compared with Memphis’s 22.
That is a substantial 12-assist advantage.
It confirms that Denver’s offense was not stagnant.
Murray’s 12 assists were especially important, while Jokic added nine and Braun five.
Denver therefore generated considerable team-oriented offense.
The problem was that the assists did not fully overcome the turnovers.
This is an important lesson when evaluating playmaking statistics. A high assist total can indicate excellent ball movement, but it should always be considered alongside turnovers and shot quality.
Defensive Activity Favored Memphis
Memphis finished with:
- 12 steals
- 9 blocks
- 10 turnovers committed
Denver finished with:
- 6 steals
- 5 blocks
- 19 turnovers committed
(NBA.com)
That is a major defensive activity advantage.
Memphis disrupted passing lanes, generated steals and challenged shots at the rim.
Taylor Hendricks’ six steals and three blocks were especially valuable.
GG Jackson added two blocks, while several other Grizzlies contributed defensive plays.
Denver’s defense was not poor across the board, but Memphis was more disruptive.
That difference became especially important because Denver’s offensive system relies heavily on decision-making, passing and Jokic’s ability to control possessions.
Free Throws and Additional Possessions
Memphis attempted 32 free throws.
Denver attempted 22.
The Grizzlies made 25 of their attempts, while Denver converted 17. (ESPN)
The free-throw advantage produced eight more made free throws for Memphis.
Combine that with the nine-turnover difference and Memphis had a clear pathway to overcoming Denver’s better shooting efficiency.
This is why the final score should not be analyzed only through field-goal percentage.
Free throws, turnovers, offensive rebounds and transition opportunities can dramatically change the number of possessions and scoring chances available to each team.
What the Player Stats Say About Denver
The Denver side of the box score suggests a team that had enough offensive quality to win but failed to protect possessions.
Jokic produced 29 points, 14 rebounds and 9 assists.
Murray added 19 points and 12 assists.
Braun scored 26.
Johnson scored 20 while shooting 5-of-6 from three.
Four major players therefore produced efficient offense.
But Denver’s 19 turnovers created a major counterweight.
Jokic’s 10 turnovers were the most obvious example, but the issue was collective.
The Nuggets had 34 assists, showing strong creation.
They also had 19 turnovers, showing that Memphis successfully disrupted that creation.
The difference between those two numbers is one of the most revealing parts of the box score.
What the Player Stats Say About Memphis
Memphis’s statistical profile was different.
The Grizzlies did not shoot as well, and they recorded fewer assists.
But they protected the ball.
They attacked the free-throw line.
They generated steals.
They blocked shots.
They created transition opportunities.
They received balanced scoring from Jerome, Prosper, Jackson and Coward.
The Grizzlies therefore won through pressure, activity and possession management rather than superior shooting.
That approach was enough to defeat a Denver team with a much better overall record.
The Most Important Individual Matchup
The most interesting individual statistical contrast was between Nikola Jokic and Ty Jerome.
Jokic:
- 29 points
- 14 rebounds
- 9 assists
- 10 turnovers
Jerome:
- 21 points
- 9 rebounds
- 9 assists
- 2 turnovers
Both players came close to triple-doubles.
Jokic produced more scoring and rebounding.
Jerome produced fewer points but matched Jokic’s assist total while approaching him in rebounds.
The biggest difference was ball security.
That does not mean Jerome individually outplayed Jokic in every aspect. It means his statistical profile fit Memphis’s game plan extremely well.
Jokic remained Denver’s most productive player, but Memphis succeeded in making his possession management unusually difficult.
Why Denver Lost Despite Better Shooting
This is probably the most important question for anyone studying the game.
Denver shot 49% from the field.
Memphis shot 43%.
Normally, that difference would give the more efficient shooting team a strong chance to win.
But Denver gave away nine more possessions through turnovers.
Memphis also attempted eight more field goals and 10 more free throws.
The Grizzlies therefore had more opportunities to score.
The game can be simplified into three major factors:
- Denver shot more efficiently.
- Memphis created more possessions.
- Memphis converted Denver’s mistakes into points.
The third point is particularly important.
Memphis scored 27 points off turnovers, which was enough to make Denver’s shooting advantage much less meaningful. (NBA.com)
Denver Nuggets vs Memphis Grizzlies Match Player Stats and the Bigger Picture
The Denver Nuggets vs Memphis Grizzlies match player stats provide a useful example of why modern basketball analysis needs more than a simple points leaderboard.
Denver’s best players performed well individually.
Jokic delivered a near triple-double.
Murray recorded 12 assists.
Braun scored 26.
Johnson shot 5-of-6 from three.
Yet Memphis still controlled the game through defensive disruption.
The Grizzlies’ 12 steals and nine blocks demonstrate a high level of defensive activity. Their 10 turnovers also show that their own offense was much cleaner with the ball.
This combination produced a very specific kind of upset.
Memphis did not beat Denver because it suddenly became the more efficient shooting team.
It beat Denver because it made Denver’s offensive possessions more difficult and maximized its own opportunities.
Game Context and Team Records
Denver entered the game at 42-28 overall and 23-15 on the road.
Memphis entered at 24-44 and was playing at home.
The result therefore represented a notable reversal of expectations based on season record.
Memphis’s victory also ended an eight-game losing streak and a five-game home losing streak. (NBA.com)
The Grizzlies had not simply been looking for another win.
They needed a performance capable of breaking a prolonged stretch of poor results.
The victory did exactly that.
Denver, meanwhile, was playing the second night of a back-to-back. Aaron Gordon sat out while managing a hamstring injury, according to the AP recap carried by NBA.com. (NBA.com)
That context matters when interpreting the result.
A single game should not be treated as a complete representation of either team’s quality.
Season Series Context
The matchup also mattered within the season series.
Memphis’s 125-118 victory came after Denver had previously won meetings between the teams, making this game an important reversal in the series.
The Grizzlies’ victory also snapped a four-game losing streak against Denver dating back to November 19, 2024. (NBA.com)
That makes the result more meaningful than a random regular-season victory.
Memphis demonstrated that its defensive pressure could create problems for Denver’s offensive structure.
Attendance and Venue
The game was played at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee, with an announced attendance of 15,612. The officiating crew consisted of Eric Lewis, Brian Forte and Kevin Cutler. (NBA.com)
The home setting was relevant because Memphis entered the contest with a five-game home losing streak.
Ending that streak against a 42-28 Denver team gave the result additional significance for the Grizzlies.
Where to Verify the Box Score
For the most authoritative version of the player statistics, use the official NBA box score. It provides player minutes, shooting numbers, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, turnovers, personal fouls, points and plus-minus for both teams. (NBA.com)
Key Takeaways From the Match
The most useful conclusions from this game are straightforward.
1. Jokic still produced at an elite level
His 29 points, 14 rebounds and 9 assists were outstanding.
2. Turnovers changed the game
Denver committed 19 turnovers compared with Memphis’s 10.
3. Memphis punished those mistakes
The Grizzlies scored 27 points from Denver turnovers.
4. Ty Jerome delivered the defining performance
His 21 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists were central to the upset.
5. Denver’s shooting was not the problem
The Nuggets shot 49% from the field and 36% from three.
6. Memphis created more opportunities
The Grizzlies attempted more field goals and free throws.
7. Defensive activity mattered
Memphis recorded 12 steals and nine blocks.
8. Denver’s playmaking was excellent but costly
The Nuggets had 34 assists, but their 19 turnovers offset much of that advantage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who led the Nuggets in scoring against the Grizzlies?
Nikola Jokic led Denver with 29 points. Christian Braun scored 26, Cameron Johnson scored 20 and Jamal Murray added 19. (ESPN Africa)
Who led Memphis in scoring?
Ty Jerome led the Grizzlies with 21 points. Olivier-Maxence Prosper scored 19, GG Jackson had 16 and Cedric Coward finished with 15. (ESPN)
What were Nikola Jokic’s stats?
Jokic finished with 29 points, 14 rebounds, 9 assists, 1 steal, 3 blocks and 10 turnovers while shooting 11-of-19 from the field. (ESPN Africa)
What were Ty Jerome’s stats?
Ty Jerome recorded 21 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists. He shot 8-of-15 from the field and made five three-pointers. (ESPN)
Why did Memphis beat Denver?
Memphis won because it created more possessions, forced 19 Denver turnovers, converted those turnovers into 27 points and made 25 free throws. The Grizzlies also produced 12 steals and nine blocks. (NBA.com)
What was the final score?
Memphis defeated Denver 125-118 at FedExForum. Denver led the first half in scoring only marginally across individual quarters, but Memphis created an eight-point advantage in the third quarter that proved decisive. (NBA.com)
Conclusion
The Denver Nuggets vs Memphis Grizzlies match player stats reveal a game where the losing team actually held several statistical advantages.
Denver shot 49% from the field compared with Memphis at 43%. The Nuggets also recorded 34 assists, eight more field goals than Memphis and strong individual performances from Jokic, Braun, Johnson and Murray.
But Memphis controlled the statistics that mattered most for possession efficiency.
The Grizzlies committed only 10 turnovers, forced Denver into 19, collected 12 steals and turned Denver’s mistakes into 27 points. Ty Jerome nearly recorded a triple-double, while Prosper, Jackson, Coward and Hendricks supplied valuable scoring and defensive production.
Jokic’s 29-point, 14-rebound, 9-assist performance was outstanding, but his 10 turnovers became a major factor. Murray’s 19 points and 12 assists, Braun’s 26 points and Johnson’s five made threes showed that Denver had enough offensive quality to win.
Memphis simply found a more effective way to control the possession battle.
The final 125-118 score therefore tells only part of the story. The deeper statistical picture shows a Memphis team that overcame inferior shooting efficiency through defensive pressure, ball security, free-throw opportunities and transition scoring.
