Nuggets 122, Pelicans 116: Jamal Murray posts 59.9 fantasy points
Sarah Kowalski
Orthopedic Nurse · Milwaukee Bucks fan
Jamal Murray's 35-Point Takeover Masks Denver's Jokić Problem
Jamal Murray dropped 35 points and went absolutely nuclear, but here's the real story nobody's talking about: Nikola Jokic didn't play. The reigning All-NBA center was nowhere near this game, and that changes everything we thought we knew about Denver's ceiling. Murray's 59.9 Yahoo points (+9.2 above his 25.8 season average) feels huge until you realize he had to carry a team without its MVP. This wasn't Murray finally arriving as a first option. This was survival mode, and it worked. But it won't work again if Jokic keeps missing time.
Tonight's Top Performers
| Player | Yahoo FP | Tonight | Season Avg | vs Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jamal Murray | 59.9 | 35/2/9 | 25.8/4.5/7.5 | +9.2 pts |
| Peyton Watson | 53.9 | 31/7/5 | 13.8/5.0/1.8 | +17.2 pts |
| Trey Murphy III | 39.0 | 31/5/2 | 22.2/6.2/3.6 | +8.8 pts |
| Derik Queen | 32.1 | 10/13/5 | 12.6/7.6/4.3 | +5.4 reb |
| Aaron Gordon | 31.9 | 16/7/1 | 18.5/6.2/1.8 | +0.8 reb |
| Tim Hardaway Jr. | 24.8 | 18/4/2 | 13.8/2.4/1.4 | +4.2 pts |
The Winners
Peyton Watson just jumped into a different tier of your fantasy conversation. 31 points on 11-16 shooting is not a typo, and that's +17.2 above his 13.8 season average. This wasn't a hot night. This was a statement. Watson played 39 minutes and looked like Denver's second star when it mattered. If Jokic is dealing with something longer-term, Watson becomes a league-winner candidate. He's available in most leagues still.
Jamal Murray stayed Murray with the 35-point, 9-assist night. The shooting efficiency was crisp (11-19 FG, 5 threes), and he looked in total control. But context matters: he's only +9.2 above his average, which tells you this is elite Murray, not mythical Murray. He's been a top 15 guy all season, and tonight confirmed it. Don't panic if he has a 20-point night next week. This is who he is.
Trey Murphy III got buckets without needing much volume. 31 points on 11-18 shooting is efficient, and +8.8 above his 22.2 average shows he showed up when New Orleans needed him most. The Pelicans lost, but Murphy did his job. He's a reliable 30-35 minute rotation guy. Set and forget.
The Letdowns
Zion Williamson absolutely flopped. 12 points on 5-12 shooting is brutal for a guy averaging 22.6. That's -10.6 below expectation, which isn't just an off night, that's a red flag. He played 31 minutes and still couldn't get it done. If this is an injury situation brewing, you need to know. If it's just inconsistency, Zion owners need to decide if they're cool holding an inconsistent high-ceiling guy. In a close fantasy league, this is the type of variance that loses you weeks.
The Trends
Denver's Jokic absence opens a path for Watson to get serious run. Going from 13.8 PPG to 31 in one night means he's ready for expanded role minutes. If Jokic misses the next few games, Watson becomes a no-brainer add in most leagues.
New Orleans' bench production was wild. Derik Queen pulled 13 rebounds in 28 minutes, and Yves Missi chipped in 8 boards. The Pelicans' interior rotation is deeper than people think, which could limit star usage when everyone's healthy.
Aaron Gordon stayed steady but unremarkable. 16 points, 7 rebounds in 29 minutes is fine but nothing special. He's your floor guy on Denver, not your ceiling. Don't get cute trying to flip him in trades.
The Moves
Add Peyton Watson immediately. He's explosive, he's getting 38-39 minute nights, and if Jokic's out longer, Watson becomes a top 50 player. Someone in your league left him on waivers. Grab him now.
Drop or trade Zion if you can get value. The -10.6 variance is concerning. His inconsistency has always been his problem, and nights like this remind you why. If someone will bite on his name value, move him. If you're stuck holding him, accept that you need his good weeks to outweigh his bad ones.
Watch Jose Alvarado's status closely. He's getting dropped across leagues, but if he returns healthy for New Orleans, he's a back-end pickup for steals and floor leadership. His 0 minutes tonight means something happened. Find out what.
Next Up
Denver plays again Friday, and the Jokic question is everything. If he's back, Watson's minutes tank. If he's out, Watson is a league-winner play. Check injury reports like your life depends on it.
New Orleans needs to figure out Zion's health situation before his next game. If he's nursing something, fantasy owners need to know whether he's a healthy scratch candidate down the line.