Nuggets and Thunder Shine on NBA Saturday Night

Crowd cheering during Denver Nuggets home opener basketball game

Denver, October 26, 2025

News Summary

The NBA featured thrilling matchups as the Denver Nuggets defeated the Phoenix Suns while the Oklahoma City Thunder overcame the Atlanta Hawks. The Nuggets showcased their dominance at the free-throw line, leading to a significant victory with Nikola Jokić delivering a triple-double performance. Meanwhile, the Thunder maintained their undefeated status with stellar contributions from Chet Holmgren. The night also included notable moments like Jamal Murray’s impressive shot and the Memphis Grizzlies outshining the Indiana Pacers. Overall, the games highlighted the exciting start to the 2023 NBA season.

Denver

The NBA saw an exciting Saturday night as the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder highlighted their performances with impressive victories in their respective games. The Nuggets triumphed over the Phoenix Suns, showcasing skill and precision, while the Thunder showcased their strength against the Atlanta Hawks, maintaining an undefeated record this season.

Nuggets’ Dominance Over Suns

The Denver Nuggets started the season strong with a commanding victory against the Phoenix Suns, winning the game with a score reflecting their dominance at the free-throw line. The Nuggets shot an impressive 36-of-40 from the charity stripe compared to 18-of-22 by the Suns. This free-throw success significantly contributed to their performance.

Nikola Jokić, the star center for the Nuggets, had a standout night finishing with a triple-double consisting of 14 points, 14 rebounds, and 15 assists, further asserting his position as one of the league’s top players. Jamal Murray also made notable contributions with 23 points, six rebounds, and five assists. Each of the Nuggets’ five starters scored between 12 and 20 points, demonstrating a well-rounded team effort.

The Nuggets established control early, making 19 of their first 21 free-throw attempts during the first half, setting the tone for the game. Devin Booker was the leading scorer for the Suns, putting up 31 points, along with three rebounds and seven assists.

Thunder Thrives Against Hawks

The Oklahoma City Thunder secured a strong win over the Atlanta Hawks, concluding the match with a significant contribution from Chet Holmgren, who recorded 31 points, 12 rebounds, and three steals. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander also had an outstanding game, notching 30 points and shooting an impressive 20-of-29 from the field.

The Thunder managed to maintain a double-digit lead throughout the match, avoiding overtime and improving their record to 3-0 this season. Noteworthy performances from both Holmgren and Gilgeous-Alexander were critical in clinching the win.

Memphis Grizzlies Outshine the Pacers

In another exciting match, the Memphis Grizzlies bested the Indiana Pacers, winning decisively in all four quarters. The Grizzlies excelled particularly in the second half, outscoring the Pacers 68-51. Cedric Coward starred for Memphis, achieving a career-high of 27 points, along with six rebounds and four assists. Ja Morant contributed with 19 points, reinforcing the team’s attacking strategy.

Notable Highlights and Other Games

Several key moments from the night included Jamal Murray’s remarkable 50-footer shot. In a closely contested game, Quentin Grimes delivered a game-winning shot for the Philadelphia 76ers, who also saw solid performances from Tyrese Maxey with 28 points and Joel Embiid with 20 points. The Chicago Bulls clinched victory against the Orlando Magic with a strong performance in the fourth quarter.

The NBA Saturday was marked by thrilling performances and competitive matchups as teams resumed action following the All-Star break, showcasing the league’s promising talent and unpredictability.

Conclusion

Overall, the NBA Saturday night highlighted the ongoing excitement of the 2023 season with standout performances from players like Nikola Jokić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Cedric Coward continuing to impress fans across the league.

FAQ

What teams played on NBA Saturday night?

The NBA Saturday night featured games including the Denver Nuggets against the Phoenix Suns, Oklahoma City Thunder against the Atlanta Hawks, Memphis Grizzlies against the Indiana Pacers, and the Philadelphia 76ers versus the Charlotte Hornets.

What were the standout performances from the games?

Nikola Jokić had a triple-double for the Nuggets, while Chet Holmgren scored 31 points for the Thunder. Jamal Murray also made headlines with a remarkable 50-footer shot.

How did the Denver Nuggets perform at the free-throw line?

The Denver Nuggets had a strong performance at the free-throw line, shooting 36-of-40, significantly outperforming the Suns who shot 18-of-22.

What was the outcome of the Grizzlies vs. Pacers game?

The Memphis Grizzlies won against the Indiana Pacers, showing dominance in the second half with a score of 68-51 and highlighting a career-high performance from Cedric Coward.

Chart of Key Features

Team Key Player Points Scored Highlights
Denver Nuggets Nikola Jokić 14 Triple-double
Phoenix Suns Devin Booker 31
Oklahoma City Thunder Chet Holmgren 31
Atlanta Hawks
Memphis Grizzlies Cedric Coward 27 Career-high
Indiana Pacers Bennedict Mathurin 26

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STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER
Author: STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER

The PHOENIX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhoenix.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Phoenix, Maricopa County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Cactus League Spring Training, and Arizona State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Visit Phoenix, plus leading businesses in technology and healthcare that power the local economy such as Intel and Banner Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERETucson.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Arizona's dynamic landscape.

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