Game ID: 22500162
Sacramento Kings @ Denver Nuggets
Monday, November 3, 2025 at 9:00 PM ET
Ball Arena, Denver, CO
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
DEN 39 33 32 26 130SAC 30 33 30 31 124
DEN vs SAC ScoutingDEN vs SAC Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
DEN availability going into 10/25 · 1 day's rest
full strength
DEN availability going into 10/27 · 1 day's rest
full strength
DEN availability going into 10/29 · 1 day's rest
full strength
DEN availability going into 10/31 · 1 day's rest
full strength
DEN availability going into 11/03 · 2 days' rest
full strength
DEN availability going into 11/05 · 1 day's restOUT Jones missed 2 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Pickett missed 2 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Nnaji missed 2 since 10/31, out tonight
DEN availability going into 11/07 · 1 day's restOUT Jones missed 3 since 10/31, returns tonight: 4 min (18% of 22)
OUT Pickett missed 3 since 10/31, returns tonight: 5 min (30% of 16)
OUT Nnaji missed 3 since 10/31, returns tonight: 4 min (34% of 12)
DEN availability going into 11/08 · back-to-backBACK Jones back 11/07 after 3, 4 min since (18% of 22)
BACK Pickett back 11/07 after 3, 5 min since (30% of 16)
BACK Nnaji back 11/07 after 3, 4 min since (34% of 12)
DEN availability going into 11/11 · 2 days' restBACK Jones back 11/07 after 3, 12 min since (54% of 22)
BACK Pickett back 11/07 after 3, 11 min since (71% of 16)
BACK Nnaji back 11/07 after 3, 4 min since (30% of 12)
SAC availability going into 10/26 · 1 day's restOUT Plowden missed 2 since 10/22, out tonight
OUT Carter missed 2 since 10/22, returns tonight: 3 min (15% of 18)
OUT McDermott missed 2 since 10/22, out tonight
OUT Stevens missed 2 since 10/22, out tonight
SAC availability going into 10/28 · 1 day's restOUT Raynaud missed 2 since 10/24, out tonight
OUT Plowden missed 3 since 10/22, out tonight
OUT Clifford missed 2 since 10/24, out tonight
OUT McDermott missed 3 since 10/22, out tonight
OUT Stevens missed 3 since 10/22, out tonight
BACK Carter back 10/26 after 2, 3 min since (15% of 18)
NEW LaVine 31 to 37 min over the last 3
NEW DeRozan 31 to 38 min over the last 3
NEW Schröder 26 to 33 min over the last 3
SAC availability going into 10/29 · back-to-backOUT Raynaud missed 3 since 10/24, out tonight
OUT Plowden missed 4 since 10/22, out tonight
OUT Clifford missed 3 since 10/24, out tonight
OUT McDermott missed 4 since 10/22, out tonight
OUT Stevens missed 4 since 10/22, out tonight
BACK Carter back 10/26 after 2, 6 min since (32% of 18)
NEW LaVine 31 to 37 min over the last 4
NEW DeRozan 31 to 37 min over the last 4
NEW Schröder 26 to 32 min over the last 4
SAC availability going into 11/01 · 2 days' restOUT Raynaud missed 4 since 10/24, returns tonight: 4 min (15% of 26)
OUT Plowden missed 5 since 10/22, out tonight
OUT Clifford missed 4 since 10/24, returns tonight: 16 min (63% of 25)
OUT Cardwell missed 2 since 10/28, returns tonight: 5 min (25% of 21)
OUT McDermott missed 5 since 10/22, out tonight
OUT Stevens missed 5 since 10/22, out tonight
BACK Carter back 10/26 after 2, 8 min since (43% of 18)
NEW LaVine 31 to 37 min over the last 5
NEW DeRozan 31 to 36 min over the last 5
NEW Schröder 26 to 32 min over the last 5
SAC availability going into 11/03 · 1 day's restOUT Plowden missed 6 since 10/22, out tonight
OUT McDermott missed 6 since 10/22, out tonight
OUT Stevens missed 6 since 10/22, out tonight
BACK Raynaud back 11/01 after 4, 4 min since (15% of 26)
BACK Clifford back 11/01 after 4, 16 min since (63% of 25)
BACK Cardwell back 11/01 after 2, 5 min since (25% of 21)
BACK Carter back 10/26 after 2, 8 min since (43% of 18)
NEW LaVine 31 to 37 min over the last 5
NEW DeRozan 31 to 37 min over the last 5
NEW Schröder 26 to 33 min over the last 5
SAC availability going into 11/05 · 1 day's restOUT Plowden missed 7 since 10/22, out tonight
OUT Monk missed 2 since 11/01, returns tonight: 25 min (115% of 22)
OUT McDermott missed 7 since 10/22, out tonight
OUT Stevens missed 7 since 10/22, out tonight
BACK Raynaud back 11/01 after 4, 4 min since (15% of 26)
BACK Clifford back 11/01 after 4, 17 min since (69% of 25)
BACK Cardwell back 11/01 after 2, 5 min since (25% of 21)
BACK Carter back 10/26 after 2, 7 min since (37% of 18)
NEW LaVine 31 to 37 min over the last 5
NEW DeRozan 31 to 37 min over the last 5
NEW Schröder 26 to 33 min over the last 5
SAC availability going into 11/07 · 1 day's restOUT Plowden missed 8 since 10/22, out tonight
OUT Cardwell missed 2 since 11/03, out tonight
OUT McDermott missed 8 since 10/22, out tonight
OUT Stevens missed 8 since 10/22, out tonight
BACK Raynaud back 11/01 after 4, 10 min since (36% of 26)
BACK Clifford back 11/01 after 4, 22 min since (90% of 25)
BACK Monk back 11/05 after 2, 25 min since (115% of 22)
NEW LaVine 31 to 37 min over the last 4
NEW Sabonis 30 to 35 min over the last 4
NEW Schröder 26 to 33 min over the last 5
SAC availability going into 11/09 · 1 day's restOUT Sabonis missed 2 since 11/05, returns tonight: 30 min (100% of 30)
OUT Plowden missed 9 since 10/22, out tonight
OUT Cardwell missed 3 since 11/03, out tonight
OUT McDermott missed 9 since 10/22, out tonight
OUT Stevens missed 9 since 10/22, out tonight
BACK Raynaud back 11/01 after 4, 14 min since (54% of 26)
BACK Clifford back 11/01 after 4, 21 min since (84% of 25)
BACK Monk back 11/05 after 2, 25 min since (112% of 22)
NEW Westbrook 29 to 34 min over the last 5
NEW Schröder 26 to 31 min over the last 5
NEW Eubanks 13 to 19 min over the last 5
SAC availability going into 11/11 · 1 day's restOUT Plowden missed 10 since 10/22, out tonight
OUT Cardwell missed 4 since 11/03, out tonight
OUT McDermott missed 10 since 10/22, out tonight
OUT Stevens missed 10 since 10/22, out tonight
BACK Sabonis back 11/09 after 2, 30 min since (100% of 30)
BACK Raynaud back 11/01 after 4, 12 min since (45% of 26)
BACK Clifford back 11/01 after 4, 21 min since (85% of 25)
BACK Monk back 11/05 after 2, 23 min since (104% of 22)
NEW Schröder 26 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Eubanks 13 to 18 min over the last 5
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 112, shooting 52 percent and 35 from three, 25 free throws a game; Murray at 26 and Jokić at 20 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. 2 days' rest. Sacramento comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 119, shooting 48 percent and 37 from three, 24 free throws a game; LaVine at 29 and DeRozan at 19 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Plowden (6 straight), McDermott (6 straight). One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Denver has been plus-8 a night and Sacramento minus-7 and the defense, Denver allowing 112 a night to Sacramento's 119. Call it Denver 123, Sacramento 112, Denver by 11.
10/25 vs PHX 133-111 — DEN notes
DEN won 133-111. DEN shot 51% (43 of 84) to PHX's 43%, 9 of 31 from three, and went to the line 42 times to PHX's 22 — 38 points from the stripe to their 18. Murray led with 23 (8 of 17, 3 of 8 from three); Braun added 20, Gordon 17. The hinge was Q2, 37-26: a lead of 6 became 17, and the lead reached 25. Jokić was the night's best plus/minus at +27.
10/27 @ MIN 127-114 — DEN notes
DEN won 127-114. DEN shot 52% (46 of 88) to MIN's 47%, 13 of 26 from three. The glass went 46-33 for them. Murray led with 43 (16 of 29, 5 of 9 from three, 6 of 7 at the line); Jokić added 25, Hardaway Jr. 20. The hinge was Q3, 45-29: DEN came in trailing by 8 and left it ahead by 8, and the lead reached 15. DEN trailed 57-65 at the half and won the second half 70-49. Murray was the night's best plus/minus at +30.
10/29 vs NOP 122-88 — DEN notes
DEN won 122-88. DEN shot 53% (48 of 90) to NOP's 38%, 14 of 42 from three, and got to the line 14 times to NOP's 29. The glass went 56-36 for them. Jokić led with 21 (10 of 15); Braun added 17, Murray 17. The hinge was Q3, 39-11: a lead of 6 became 34, and the lead reached 41. Murray was the night's best plus/minus at +29.
10/31 @ POR 107-109 — DEN notes
DEN lost 107-109. DEN shot 48% (38 of 79) to POR's 42%, 6 of 25 from three. Murray led with 22 (9 of 15, 1 of 4 from three); Jokić added 21, Gordon 14. Q1 was theirs, 26-18, but the other 3 periods went 91-81 against them. They led by as many as 12. Murray's -15 in 34 minutes was the worst on the floor.
11/03 vs SAC 130-124 — DEN notes
DEN won 130-124. DEN shot 52% (50 of 97) to SAC's 52%, 12 of 38 from three. DEN turned it over 7 times to SAC's 15. Jokić led with 34 (14 of 22, 4 of 10 from three); Braun added 21, Gordon 20. The hinge was Q1, 39-30: from level to 9 ahead, and the lead reached 15. Braun was the night's best plus/minus at +21.
11/05 vs MIA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 109, shooting 51 percent and 33 from three, 27 free throws a game; Murray at 24 and Jokić at 23 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Jones (2 straight), Pickett (2 straight). One day's rest. Miami comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 116, shooting 50 percent and 39 from three, 25 free throws a game; Adebayo at 24 and Jaquez Jr. at 18 a game. One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Denver has been plus-7 a night and Miami minus-4 and the arc, Miami at 39 percent from three to Denver's 33. Call it Denver 122, Miami 115.
11/07 vs GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 109, shooting 49 percent and 33 from three, 24 free throws a game; Jokić at 27 and Murray at 22 a game. It has won the glass by 10 a night. Without Jones (3 straight), Pickett (3 straight). One day's rest. Golden State comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 108, shooting 45 percent and 37 from three, 19 free throws a game; Ste. Curry at 24 and Kuminga at 17 a game. One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Denver has been plus-10 a night and Golden State minus-2 and the line, where Denver takes 24 free throws a game to Golden State's 19. Call it Denver 119, Golden State 111.
11/08 vs IND — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 107, shooting 50 percent and 33 from three, 24 free throws a game; Jokić at 27 and Murray at 18 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Second night of a back-to-back. Indiana comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 115, shooting 40 percent and 29 from three, 28 free throws a game; Siakam at 25 and Nesmith at 16 a game. Without Mathurin (6 straight), Nembhard (7 straight), Toppin (5 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the defense, Denver allowing 107 a night to Indiana's 115. Call it Denver 121, Indiana 109, Denver by 12.
11/11 @ SAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Sacramento comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 131, shooting 48 percent and 39 from three, 29 free throws a game; DeRozan at 23 and LaVine at 20 a game. Without Plowden (10 straight), Cardwell (4 straight), McDermott (10 straight). One day's rest. Denver comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 110, shooting 49 percent and 33 from three, 26 free throws a game; Jokić at 29 and Gordon at 19 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has won the glass by 5 a night. 2 days' rest.
So: Denver wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Denver allowing 110 a night to Sacramento's 131 and the arc, Sacramento at 39 percent from three to Denver's 33. Call it Denver 124, Sacramento 115.
10/26 vs LAL 120-127 — SAC notes
SAC lost 120-127. SAC took 21 more shots (101 to 80), fed by 13 offensive rebounds, but shot 45% to LAL's 49%, 18 of 43 from three, and got to the line 18 times to LAL's 46. LaVine led with 32 (12 of 24, 4 of 9 from three); DeRozan added 21, Schröder 18. Q2 was theirs, 35-26, the deficit cut from 9 to 0, but the other 3 periods went 101-85 against them. Schröder's -16 in 35 minutes was the worst on the floor.
10/28 @ OKC 101-107 — SAC notes
SAC lost 101-107. SAC shot 42% (36 of 85) to OKC's 46%, 10 of 29 from three, and went to the line 21 times to OKC's 10 — 19 points from the stripe to their 9. LaVine led with 23 (6 of 13, 4 of 6 from three, 7 of 7 at the line); DeRozan added 19, Westbrook 16. Q1 was theirs, 29-24, but the other 3 periods went 83-72 against them. They led by as many as 10.
10/29 @ CHI 113-126 — SAC notes
SAC lost 113-126. SAC shot 52% (43 of 82) to CHI's 54%, 7 of 28 from three, and went to the line 26 times to CHI's 18 — 20 points from the stripe to their 14. SAC turned it over 10 times to CHI's 15. The glass went 31-46 against them. LaVine led with 30 (12 of 19, 2 of 8 from three); DeRozan added 19, Sabonis 18. Q2 was theirs, 31-26, turning a 3-point deficit into a 2-point lead, but the other 3 periods went 100-82 against them. They led by as many as 12. LaVine's -23 in 36 minutes was the worst on the floor.
11/01 @ MIL 135-133 — SAC notes
SAC won 135-133. SAC shot 52% (45 of 87) to MIL's 60%, 10 of 28 from three, and went to the line 40 times to MIL's 31 — 35 points from the stripe to their 20. LaVine led with 31 (8 of 17, 6 of 13 from three, 9 of 10 at the line); DeRozan added 29, Schröder 24. The hinge was Q2, 34-24: the deficit went from 11 to 1. SAC trailed 70-71 at the half and won the second half 65-62. Westbrook was the night's best plus/minus at +14.
11/03 @ DEN 124-130 — SAC notes
SAC lost 124-130. SAC shot 52% (47 of 90) to DEN's 52%, 9 of 27 from three. SAC turned it over 15 times to DEN's 7, and DEN turned those into 9 steals. Westbrook led with 26 (10 of 17, 3 of 6 from three); DeRozan added 19, Schröder 18. Q4 was theirs, 31-26, the deficit cut from 11 to 6, but the other 3 periods went 104-93 against them. LaVine's -14 in 37 minutes was the worst on the floor.
11/05 vs GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Sacramento comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 125, shooting 49 percent and 35 from three, 26 free throws a game; LaVine at 26 and DeRozan at 21 a game. Without Plowden (7 straight), Monk (2 straight), McDermott (7 straight). One day's rest. Golden State comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 108, shooting 47 percent and 38 from three, 20 free throws a game; Ste. Curry at 23 and Butler III at 17 a game. Without Richard (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Golden State wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Golden State allowing 108 a night to Sacramento's 125 and the line, where Sacramento takes 26 free throws a game to Golden State's 20. Call it Golden State 117, Sacramento 116, Sacramento keeping it close.
11/07 vs OKC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Sacramento comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 122, shooting 50 percent and 35 from three, 29 free throws a game; LaVine at 25 and DeRozan at 22 a game. Without Plowden (8 straight), Cardwell (2 straight), McDermott (8 straight). One day's rest. OKC comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 109, shooting 48 percent and 38 from three, 23 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 31 and Joe at 17 a game. One day's rest.
So: OKC wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, OKC allowing 109 a night to Sacramento's 122 and the line, where Sacramento takes 29 free throws a game to OKC's 23. Call it OKC 121, Sacramento 115.
11/09 vs MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Sacramento comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 127, shooting 49 percent and 36 from three, 28 free throws a game; DeRozan at 22 and LaVine at 21 a game. Without Sabonis (2 straight), Plowden (9 straight), Cardwell (3 straight). One day's rest. Minnesota comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 113, shooting 53 percent and 46 from three, 23 free throws a game; Randle at 27 and McDaniels at 20 a game. One day's rest.
So: Minnesota wins, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, Minnesota at 46 percent from three to Sacramento's 36 and the defense, Minnesota allowing 113 a night to Sacramento's 127. Call it Minnesota 121, Sacramento 117, Sacramento keeping it close.
11/11 vs DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Sacramento comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 131, shooting 48 percent and 39 from three, 29 free throws a game; DeRozan at 23 and LaVine at 20 a game. Without Plowden (10 straight), Cardwell (4 straight), McDermott (10 straight). One day's rest. Denver comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 110, shooting 49 percent and 33 from three, 26 free throws a game; Jokić at 29 and Gordon at 19 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has won the glass by 5 a night. 2 days' rest.
So: Denver wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Denver allowing 110 a night to Sacramento's 131 and the arc, Sacramento at 39 percent from three to Denver's 33. Call it Denver 124, Sacramento 115.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
DENAG A. Gordon
BB B. Brown
CB C. Braun
CJ C. Johnson
JM J. Murray
JS J. Strawther
JV J. Valančiūnas
JO Jokic
NJ N. Jokić
PW P. Watson
TH T. Hardaway Jr.
SACDD D. DeRozan
DE D. Eubanks
DS D. Sabonis
DS D. Schröder
KE K. Ellis
NC N. Clifford
RW R. Westbrook
SC Schroder
ZL Z. LaVine
DEN/SAC the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Jokic scores season-high 34 points to lead the Nuggets past the Kings, 130-124
DENVER -- — Nikola Jokic scored a season-high 34 points and had 14 assists, Aaron Gordon added 20 points and the Denver Nuggets never trailed in a 130-124 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Monday night.
Jokic, who opened the season with four straight triple-doubles, grabbed a season-low four rebounds but has recorded at least a double-double in the first six games.
The Nuggets have won six straight against Sacramento dating to the 2023-24 season.
Russell Westbrook had 26 points and 12 rebounds, both season highs, against his former team. Seven Sacramento players scored in double figures, but Zach LaVine , who entered Monday averaging 29.5 points, finished with a season-low 15 on just 4-of-11 shooting.
Westbrook received a warm ovation from the crowd when he was recognized at the first timeout of the game. Westbrook averaged 13.3 points in 75 games in 2024-25, his only season with Denver, and 11.7 points during the playoffs.
Nuggets coach David Adelman praised Westbrook’s play during the postseason, saying before the game that Denver would not have beaten the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round without the 18-year veteran.
Jokic scored 15 points in the opening quarter, when the Nuggets led by as many as 12. He was on the bench to start the fourth quarter and Sacramento pulled within 110-104. Jokic returned and hit a 3-pointer, fed Bruce Brown for a corner 3-pointer and made two layups.
He helped seal the win with a steal and a layup that pushed the lead to 130-117 with 2:37 left.
Christian Braun scored a season-high 21 points in a bounce-back game for the fourth-year pro. Braun had five points and four turnovers in Friday’s loss at Portland.
Up next Kings: Host Golden State on Wednesday night.
Nuggets: Continue their four-game homestand against Miami on Wednesday night.