Jamal Murray scores 32 of his season-high 45 points in the 1st half as Nuggets beat Mavs 118-99

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Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) works against Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

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Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun (0) has his shot blocked by Dallas Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving, left, in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

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Denver Nuggets center DeAndre Jordan (6) dunks over Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

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Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (21) has his shot blocked by Denver Nuggets center DeAndre Jordan (6) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

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CORRECTS FROM JALEN PICKETT TO JAMAL MURRAY - Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, center, works to the basket as Dallas Mavericks’ Daniel Gafford (21) and Naji Marshall (13) defend in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

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Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) works against Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun, left, in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

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Colorado football player Shedeur Sanders, center, talks to someone down the row during the second half of an NBA basketball game between the Denver Nuggets and the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

By STEFAN STEVENSON

DALLAS (AP) — Jamal Murray scored 32 of his season-high 45 points in the first half and led the Denver Nuggets to a 118-99 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night.

Murray easily surpassed his previous season-best of 34 points, scored against Detroit on Dec. 28.

Murray shot 18 for 26 from the floor, including 5 of 9 from 3-point distance, and added six assists and two steals. He headed to the bench with just under four minutes remaining, five points shy of his career high of 50 points against Cleveland on Feb. 19, 2021.

Michael Porter Jr. scored 13 points and Nikola Jokic had 10 points and 14 rebounds in the win.

Kyrie Irving was back in the lineup after missing five games with a lumbar back sprain. He finished with 11 points on 4-for-18 shooting for Dallas. Daniel Gafford scored 13 points and Naji Marshall had 11.

Takeaways

Nuggets: Denver, which beat the Mavs by 11 on Sunday in Dallas, have won four straight and eight of their last 10. In each of the eight wins, Denver has won by 10 or more points.

Mavericks: Dallas absorbed its second-worst loss of the season. The 19-point loss was behind a 23-point setback to the Clippers on Dec. 19.

Not PARSE.LY: Denver Nuggets

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Key moment

Dallas’ Dereck Lively II left the game with a right ankle sprain with eight minutes remaining in the first quarter and did not return.

Key stat

Jamal Murray was 12 of 15 from the field, including 4 of 6 from 3-point range, for 32 points in the first half. It’s the third-highest point total in the first half in the NBA this season.

Up next

Both teams play Wednesday. The Nuggets host the Houston Rockets, and the Mavericks are at the New Orleans Pelicans.

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