Game ID: 22501208
Denver Nuggets @ Sacramento Kings
Thursday, December 11, 2025 at 10:00 PM ET
Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
SAC 26 28 27 24 105DEN 41 36 32 27 136
DEN @ SAC ScoutingDEN @ 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.
SAC availability going into 11/30 · 1 day's restOUT Sabonis missed 6 since 11/19, out tonight
OUT Plowden missed 8 since 11/14, out tonight
OUT Schröder missed 2 since 11/26, out tonight
OUT Cardwell missed 14 since 11/03, out tonight
OUT Carter missed 8 since 11/14, out tonight
OUT McDermott missed 8 since 11/14, out tonight
OUT Stevens missed 20 since 10/22, out tonight
SAC availability going into 12/03 · 2 days' restOUT Sabonis missed 7 since 11/19, out tonight
OUT Plowden missed 9 since 11/14, out tonight
OUT Schröder missed 3 since 11/26, out tonight
OUT Cardwell missed 15 since 11/03, out tonight
OUT Carter missed 9 since 11/14, out tonight
OUT McDermott missed 9 since 11/14, out tonight
OUT Stevens missed 21 since 10/22, out tonight
NEW Murray 34 to 40 min over the last 5
SAC availability going into 12/06 · 2 days' restOUT Sabonis missed 8 since 11/19, out tonight
OUT Plowden missed 10 since 11/14, out tonight
OUT Schröder missed 4 since 11/26, out tonight
OUT Cardwell missed 16 since 11/03, out tonight
OUT Carter missed 10 since 11/14, out tonight
OUT McDermott missed 10 since 11/14, out tonight
OUT Stevens missed 22 since 10/22, out tonight
NEW Murray 34 to 40 min over the last 5
SAC availability going into 12/08 · 1 day's restOUT Sabonis missed 9 since 11/19, out tonight
OUT Plowden missed 11 since 11/14, out tonight
OUT Schröder missed 5 since 11/26, out tonight
OUT Cardwell missed 17 since 11/03, out tonight
OUT Carter missed 11 since 11/14, out tonight
OUT McDermott missed 11 since 11/14, out tonight
OUT Stevens missed 23 since 10/22, out tonight
SAC availability going into 12/11 · 2 days' restOUT Sabonis missed 10 since 11/19, out tonight
OUT Plowden missed 12 since 11/14, out tonight
OUT Schröder missed 6 since 11/26, out tonight
OUT Cardwell missed 18 since 11/03, out tonight
OUT Carter missed 12 since 11/14, returns tonight: 21 min (115% of 18)
OUT McDermott missed 12 since 11/14, returns tonight: 3 min (22% of 15)
OUT Stevens missed 24 since 10/22, out tonight
SAC availability going into 12/14 · 2 days' restOUT Sabonis missed 11 since 11/19, out tonight
OUT Plowden missed 13 since 11/14, out tonight
OUT Schröder missed 7 since 11/26, returns tonight: 25 min (95% of 26)
OUT Cardwell missed 19 since 11/03, out tonight
OUT Stevens missed 25 since 10/22, out tonight
BACK Carter back 12/11 after 12, 21 min since (115% of 18)
BACK McDermott back 12/11 after 12, 3 min since (22% of 15)
SAC availability going into 12/18 · 3 days' restOUT Sabonis missed 12 since 11/19, out tonight
OUT Plowden missed 14 since 11/14, out tonight
OUT Cardwell missed 20 since 11/03, returns tonight: 16 min (78% of 21)
OUT Stevens missed 26 since 10/22, out tonight
BACK Schröder back 12/14 after 7, 25 min since (95% of 26)
BACK Carter back 12/11 after 12, 21 min since (115% of 18)
BACK McDermott back 12/11 after 12, 3 min since (22% of 15)
SAC availability going into 12/20 · 1 day's restOUT Sabonis missed 13 since 11/19, out tonight
OUT Plowden missed 15 since 11/14, out tonight
OUT Carter missed 2 since 12/14, out tonight
OUT McDermott missed 2 since 12/14, out tonight
OUT Stevens missed 27 since 10/22, out tonight
OUT Eubanks missed 2 since 12/14, out tonight
BACK Schröder back 12/14 after 7, 24 min since (90% of 26)
BACK Cardwell back 12/18 after 20, 16 min since (78% of 21)
SAC availability going into 12/21 · back-to-backOUT LaVine missed 2 since 12/18, out tonight
OUT Sabonis missed 14 since 11/19, out tonight
OUT Plowden missed 16 since 11/14, out tonight
OUT Monk missed 2 since 12/18, returns tonight: 5 min (22% of 22)
OUT Carter missed 3 since 12/14, out tonight
OUT McDermott missed 3 since 12/14, out tonight
OUT Stevens missed 28 since 10/22, out tonight
OUT Eubanks missed 3 since 12/14, out tonight
BACK Schröder back 12/14 after 7, 26 min since (99% of 26)
BACK Cardwell back 12/18 after 20, 18 min since (90% of 21)
DEN availability going into 12/01 · 1 day's restOUT Braun missed 8 since 11/15, out tonight
OUT Gordon missed 4 since 11/22, out tonight
OUT Strawther missed 7 since 11/17, out tonight
BACK Pickett back 11/29 after 5, 2 min since (10% of 16)
BACK Nnaji back 11/24 after 2, 12 min since (102% of 12)
NEW Johnson 31 to 36 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 12/03 · 1 day's restOUT Braun missed 9 since 11/15, out tonight
OUT Gordon missed 5 since 11/22, out tonight
OUT Strawther missed 8 since 11/17, out tonight
BACK Pickett back 11/29 after 5, 2 min since (10% of 16)
BACK Nnaji back 11/24 after 2, 11 min since (88% of 12)
NEW Johnson 31 to 37 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 12/05 · 1 day's restOUT Braun missed 10 since 11/15, out tonight
OUT Gordon missed 6 since 11/22, out tonight
OUT Strawther missed 9 since 11/17, out tonight
BACK Pickett back 11/29 after 5, 2 min since (10% of 16)
BACK Nnaji back 11/24 after 2, 11 min since (90% of 12)
NEW Johnson 31 to 36 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 12/07 · 1 day's restOUT Braun missed 11 since 11/15, out tonight
OUT Gordon missed 7 since 11/22, out tonight
OUT Strawther missed 10 since 11/17, out tonight
BACK Pickett back 11/29 after 5, 2 min since (10% of 16)
DEN availability going into 12/11 · 3 days' restOUT Braun missed 12 since 11/15, out tonight
OUT Gordon missed 8 since 11/22, out tonight
OUT Strawther missed 11 since 11/17, out tonight
BACK Pickett back 11/29 after 5, 6 min since (41% of 16)
NEW Johnson 31 to 36 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 12/15 · 3 days' restOUT Braun missed 13 since 11/15, out tonight
OUT Gordon missed 9 since 11/22, out tonight
OUT Strawther missed 12 since 11/17, out tonight
DEN availability going into 12/18 · 2 days' restOUT Braun missed 14 since 11/15, out tonight
OUT Gordon missed 10 since 11/22, out tonight
OUT Strawther missed 13 since 11/17, returns tonight: 6 min (40% of 15)
NEW Johnson 31 to 37 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 12/20 · 1 day's restOUT Braun missed 15 since 11/15, out tonight
OUT Gordon missed 11 since 11/22, out tonight
BACK Strawther back 12/18 after 13, 6 min since (40% of 15)
NEW Johnson 31 to 37 min over the last 5
NEW Pickett 16 to 22 min over the last 3
DEN availability going into 12/22 · 1 day's restOUT Braun missed 16 since 11/15, out tonight
OUT Watson missed 2 since 12/18, returns tonight: 28 min (94% of 30)
OUT Gordon missed 12 since 11/22, out tonight
BACK Strawther back 12/18 after 13, 5 min since (36% of 15)
NEW Johnson 31 to 36 min over the last 5
NEW Pickett 16 to 22 min over the last 4
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 111 a night and allowing 118, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 22 free throws a game; LaVine at 23 and DeRozan at 17 a game. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Sabonis (10 straight), Plowden (12 straight), Schröder (6 straight). 2 days' rest. Denver comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 127 a night and allowing 120, shooting 53 percent and 46 from three, 23 free throws a game; Jokić at 29 and Murray at 29 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Braun (12 straight), Gordon (8 straight). 3 days' rest.
So: Denver wins, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, Denver at 46 percent from three to Sacramento's 34 and the glass, where Denver has been minus-1 a night and Sacramento minus-8. Call it Denver 121, Sacramento 115.
11/30 vs MEM 107-115 — SAC notes
SAC lost 107-115. SAC took 8 more shots (94 to 86), fed by 10 offensive rebounds, but shot 46% to MEM's 52%, 8 of 27 from three. SAC turned it over 8 times to MEM's 23. The glass went 34-52 against them. DeRozan led with 23 (9 of 17, 3 of 5 from three); Monk added 21, LaVine 19. Q3 was theirs, 28-21, turning a 3-point deficit into a 4-point lead, but the other 3 periods went 94-79 against them. LaVine's -30 in 35 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/03 @ HOU 95-121 — SAC notes
SAC lost 95-121. SAC shot 41% (40 of 97) to HOU's 53%, 10 of 34 from three, and got to the line 10 times to HOU's 24. The glass went 32-62 against them. Raynaud led with 25 (10 of 15); Monk added 25, Westbrook 12. Q2 was theirs, 26-23, turning a 2-point deficit into a 1-point lead, but the other 3 periods went 98-69 against them. Monk's -30 in 30 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/06 @ MIA 127-111 — SAC notes
SAC won 127-111. SAC shot 53% (49 of 93) to MIA's 48%, 14 of 33 from three, and got to the line 21 times to MIA's 32. LaVine led with 42 (12 of 24, 8 of 13 from three, 10 of 11 at the line); Murray added 16, Clifford 15. The hinge was Q2, 38-24: a lead of 3 became 17, and the lead reached 28. Murray was the night's best plus/minus at +22.
12/08 @ IND 105-116 — SAC notes
SAC lost 105-116. SAC shot 47% (41 of 88) to IND's 44%, 7 of 22 from three. SAC turned it over 19 times to IND's 13, and IND turned those into 14 steals. The glass went 51-41 for them. Westbrook led with 24 (10 of 16, 2 of 3 from three); DeRozan added 20, LaVine 16. Q3 was theirs, 37-26, the deficit cut from 15 to 4, but the other 3 periods went 90-68 against them. DeRozan's -14 in 36 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/11 vs DEN 105-136 — SAC notes
SAC lost 105-136. SAC shot 45% (39 of 87) to DEN's 59%, 11 of 38 from three, and got to the line 23 times to DEN's 29. Monk led with 18 (5 of 11, 3 of 6 from three, 5 of 6 at the line); Westbrook added 17, Raynaud 15. Q4 was theirs, 24-27, but the other 3 periods went 109-81 against them. Clifford's -29 in 28 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/14 @ MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Minnesota comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 118, shooting 49 percent and 36 from three, 29 free throws a game; Edwards at 28 and Randle at 23 a game. One day's rest. Sacramento comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 120, shooting 46 percent and 32 from three, 20 free throws a game; LaVine at 20 and DeRozan at 16 a game. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Sabonis (11 straight), Plowden (13 straight), Schröder (7 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Minnesota wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Minnesota has been plus-2 a night and Sacramento minus-8 and the line, where Minnesota takes 29 free throws a game to Sacramento's 20. Call it Minnesota 122, Sacramento 111, Minnesota by 11.
12/18 @ POR — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Portland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 125, shooting 44 percent and 37 from three, 29 free throws a game; Avdija at 24 and Sharpe at 24 a game. Without Holiday (14 straight), Henderson (26 straight), Thybulle (21 straight). 3 days' rest. Sacramento comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 120, shooting 46 percent and 35 from three, 20 free throws a game; LaVine at 18 and DeRozan at 15 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Sabonis (12 straight), Plowden (14 straight), Cardwell (20 straight). 3 days' rest.
So: Portland wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Portland has been plus-0 a night and Sacramento minus-7 and the line, where Portland takes 29 free throws a game to Sacramento's 20. Call it Portland 121, Sacramento 115.
12/20 vs POR — 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 115 a night and allowing 123, shooting 48 percent and 36 from three, 25 free throws a game; LaVine at 23 and DeRozan at 19 a game. That is 4 straight losses. Without Sabonis (13 straight), Plowden (15 straight), Carter (2 straight). One day's rest. Portland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 130, shooting 45 percent and 36 from three, 27 free throws a game; Avdija at 26 and Sharpe at 25 a game. Without Holiday (15 straight), Henderson (27 straight), Thybulle (22 straight). One day's rest.
So: Sacramento wins, and the game turns on the defense, Sacramento allowing 123 a night to Portland's 130 and the turnovers, Portland giving it away 19 times a game to Sacramento's 16. Call it Sacramento 121, Portland 120, Portland keeping it close.
12/21 vs HOU — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Sacramento comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 120, shooting 45 percent and 30 from three, 27 free throws a game; DeRozan at 19 and Raynaud at 16 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without LaVine (2 straight), Sabonis (14 straight), Plowden (16 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Houston comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 119, shooting 49 percent and 41 from three, 22 free throws a game; Durant at 26 and Sengun at 23 a game. It has won the glass by 12 a night. Without Eason (14 straight), Finney-Smith (25 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Houston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-12 a night and Sacramento minus-2 and the arc, Houston at 41 percent from three to Sacramento's 30. Call it Houston 119, Sacramento 114.
12/01 vs DAL 121-131 — DEN notes
DEN lost 121-131. DEN shot 47% (47 of 99) to DAL's 56%, 12 of 37 from three. Jokić led with 29 (10 of 24, 3 of 10 from three, 6 of 7 at the line); Jones added 28, Watson 15. Q1 was theirs, 41-27, but the other 3 periods went 104-80 against them. They led by as many as 17. Johnson's -14 in 36 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/03 @ IND 135-120 — DEN notes
DEN won 135-120. DEN shot 59% (49 of 83) to IND's 52%, 17 of 28 from three. Murray led with 52 (19 of 25, 10 of 11 from three); Jokić added 24, Brown 14. The hinge was Q2, 39-20: a lead of 5 became 24, and the lead reached 29. Jokić was the night's best plus/minus at +26.
12/05 @ ATL 134-133 — DEN notes
DEN won 134-133. DEN shot 53% (47 of 89) to ATL's 52%, 16 of 37 from three, and went to the line 30 times to ATL's 16 — 24 points from the stripe to their 15. Jokić led with 40 (13 of 26, 1 of 8 from three, 13 of 15 at the line); Murray added 23, Hardaway Jr. 17. The hinge was Q3, 40-30: the deficit went from 19 to 9. DEN trailed 54-73 at the half and won the second half 80-60.
12/07 @ CHA 115-106 — DEN notes
DEN won 115-106. DEN shot 52% (43 of 83) to CHA's 45%, 13 of 35 from three. The glass went 35-47 against them. Murray led with 34 (14 of 25, 2 of 9 from three); Jokić added 28, Hardaway Jr. 14. The hinge was Q3, 30-23: DEN came in trailing by 1 and left it ahead by 6. DEN trailed 57-58 at the half and won the second half 58-48. Murray was the night's best plus/minus at +14.
12/11 @ SAC 136-105 — DEN notes
DEN won 136-105. DEN shot 59% (52 of 88) to SAC's 45%, 12 of 29 from three, and went to the line 29 times to SAC's 23 — 20 points from the stripe to their 16. Jokić led with 36 (14 of 16, 6 of 8 at the line); Watson added 21, Johnson 16. The hinge was Q1, 41-26: from level to 15 ahead, and the lead reached 37. Jokić was the night's best plus/minus at +26.
12/15 vs HOU — 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 128 a night and allowing 119, shooting 54 percent and 42 from three, 25 free throws a game; Jokić at 31 and Murray at 26 a game. That is 4 straight wins. Without Braun (13 straight), Gordon (9 straight). 3 days' rest. Houston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 112, shooting 50 percent and 36 from three, 24 free throws a game; Sengun at 27 and Durant at 25 a game. It has won the glass by 12 a night. Without Eason (11 straight), Finney-Smith (22 straight). 3 days' rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-12 a night and Denver minus-1 and the turnovers, Houston giving it away 17 times a game to Denver's 10. Call it Denver 120, Houston 116, Houston keeping it close.
12/18 vs ORL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 130 a night and allowing 118, shooting 55 percent and 45 from three, 28 free throws a game; Jokić at 33 and Murray at 31 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without Braun (14 straight), Gordon (10 straight). 2 days' rest. Orlando comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 111, shooting 45 percent and 34 from three, 23 free throws a game; Fra. Wagner at 22 and Bane at 22 a game. 4 days' rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the arc, Denver at 45 percent from three to Orlando's 34 and the defense, Orlando allowing 111 a night to Denver's 118. Call it Denver 120, Orlando 115.
12/20 vs HOU — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 128 a night and allowing 117, shooting 54 percent and 42 from three, 26 free throws a game; Jokić at 33 and Murray at 27 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without Braun (15 straight), Gordon (11 straight). One day's rest. Houston comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 119, shooting 50 percent and 39 from three, 21 free throws a game; Sengun at 28 and Durant at 26 a game. It has won the glass by 12 a night. Without Eason (13 straight), Finney-Smith (24 straight). One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-12 a night and Denver minus-4 and the turnovers, Houston giving it away 18 times a game to Denver's 11. Call it Denver 122, Houston 116.
12/22 vs UTA — 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 121 a night and allowing 113, shooting 51 percent and 39 from three, 24 free throws a game; Jokić at 30 and Murray at 26 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Braun (16 straight), Watson (2 straight), Gordon (12 straight). One day's rest. Utah comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 127 a night and allowing 132, shooting 47 percent and 38 from three, 29 free throws a game; George at 29 and Bailey at 12 a game. Without Markkanen (2 straight), Kessler (22 straight), Harkless (13 straight). One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the defense, Denver allowing 113 a night to Utah's 132 and the line, where Utah takes 29 free throws a game to Denver's 24. Call it Denver 127, Utah 117, Denver by 10.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
SACDC D. Carter
DD D. DeRozan
DE D. Eubanks
DM D. McDermott
KE K. Ellis
KM K. Murray
MM M. Monk
MR M. Raynaud
NC N. Clifford
PA P. Achiuwa
RW R. Westbrook
DENBB B. Brown
CJ C. Johnson
HT H. Tyson
JM J. Murray
JP J. Pickett
JV J. Valančiūnas
JO Jokic
NJ N. Jokić
PW P. Watson
SJ S. Jones
TH T. Hardaway Jr.
VA Valanciunas
ZN Z. Nnaji
SAC/DEN 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 has 36 points and 12 boards as Nuggets rout Kings 136-105 for 11th straight road win
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- — Nikola Jokic had 36 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists as the Denver Nuggets breezed past the Sacramento Kings 136-105 on Thursday night for their franchise-record 11th straight road win.
Peyton Watson scored 21 points on 7-of-10 shooting for the Nuggets (18-6), who shot 59% from the field and completed a 4-0 trip. Cameron Johnson added 16 and Jonas Valanciunas had 15 points and six rebounds off the bench.
Jokic made 14 of 16 shots from the floor, including both his 3-pointers, and went 6 for 8 at the free-throw line. He did not play in the fourth quarter.
Jamal Murray and Tim Hardaway Jr . had 11 points apiece for Denver, which hasn't lost away from home since a 109-107 defeat at Portland on Oct. 31.
Malik Monk scored 18 points off the bench to pace the Kings (6-19), who have lost six of seven. Russell Westbrook had 17 and Maxime Raynaud finished with 15 points and nine rebounds.
The score was tied at 13 before the Nuggets went on a 24-6 run in the first quarter. Jokic shot 6 for 7 from the field and had 16 points in the first 12 minutes.
His 3-pointer with 32 seconds remaining in the second sent the Nuggets into halftime with their biggest lead to that point at 77-54. They started the third period on a 10-0 run, with eight points by Jokic, and led by 37 in the fourth.
Kings guard DeMar DeRozan moved into 23rd place on the NBA career scoring list with two free throws in the second quarter, passing Vince Carter (25,728 points).
Aaron Gordon (hamstring) sat out his ninth consecutive game for Denver, and Christian Braun (ankle sprain) missed his 13th straight.
Domantas Sabonis remained sidelined with a left knee injury for Sacramento, and Dennis Schroder sat out with left hip soreness, missing his seventh game in a row. Zach LaVine missed his third game this season with a sore right thumb.
Up next Nuggets: Host the Houston Rockets on Monday.