Toronto Raptors guard Gradey Dick, front, fields a pass as Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
DENVER (AP) — Russell Westbrook scored 21 points and played smothering defense on the final play of the game, and the Denver Nuggets beat the Toronto Raptors 121-119 on Monday night.
Nikola Jokic had 28 points, 14 rebounds and 14 assists for his third triple-double in four games for Denver, which played without Jamal Murray (concussion protocol) and lost Aaron Gordon to a right calf strain in the first quarter.
The Nuggets trailed 109-98 with 5:45 left but rallied to take a 118-117 lead on Peyton Watson’s 3-pointer. The teams traded baskets and Julian Strawther split a pair of free throws with 12 seconds left.
That gave Toronto a chance but on the final play Westbrook blanketed RJ Barrett, whose 26-footer to win it at the horn was short.
Barrett finished with 18 points while Grady Dick had 26 and Jakob Poeltl scored 24.
Takeaways
Raptors: Help might be on the way sooner than expected. Forward Scottie Barnes (orbital fracture) won’t need surgery at this point, according to coach Darko Rajakovic. Barnes has not played since the home loss to Denver on Oct. 28
Nuggets: The injuries have put more pressure on the bench to come through. Swather has played well the last few games and Hunter Tyson is making the most of his opportunity.
Key moment
Toronto led by six before Poeltl picked up his fifth and sixth fouls in a span of 23 seconds. The Nuggets outscored the Raptors 14-8 after Poeltl fouled out.
Key stat
Jokic has three triple-doubles in the last four games and missed a fourth by one rebound against Minnesota on Friday night. He also had seven turnovers against Toronto.
Up next
The Raptors travel to Sacramento on Wednesday night while the Nuggets host Oklahoma City for the second time in two weeks.
Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun, center, drives to the basket as Toronto Raptors guard RJ Barrett, left, and center Jakob Poeltl (19) defend in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon, left, collects the ball as Toronto Raptors guard Ochai Agbaji, right, and Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, center, pursue in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets guard Julian Strawther, center, goes up to shoot as Toronto Raptors guards Gradey Dick, left, and Ja'Kobe Walter, right, defend in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Toronto Raptors guard Gradey Dick gestures after hitting a 3-point basket against the Denver Nuggets in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Toronto Raptors guard Ja'Kobe Walter, left, reacts after hitting a 3-point basket over Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl, back right, pulls in a rebound as Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson, left, and guard Julian Strawther defend in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. collects the ball in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Toronto Raptors, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic looks on in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, dunks as Toronto Raptors guard Gradey Dick (1) defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
