
Denver Nuggets vs Pacers Match Player Stats & Game Results
When Jamal Murray heats up, there’s not much a defense can do — and the Indiana Pacers found that out the hard way in December 2025. With Nikola Jokic orchestrating and Murray erupting for a career-best 52 points, the Denver Nuggets swept both regular-season meetings against the Pacers by double digits.
Most recent meeting: December 3, 2025: Nuggets 135-120 Pacers ·
Top scorer (Nuggets): Jamal Murray (52 points, 19-25 FG, 10-11 3PT) ·
Nikola Jokic triple-double (Nov 8): 32 points, 14 rebounds, 14 assists ·
Nuggets win streak vs Pacers: 2 consecutive wins (as of Dec 3, 2025)
Quick snapshot
- Nuggets won both 2025 meetings (Land of Basketball)
- Murray scored season-high 52 points on Dec 3 (CBS Sports)
- Jokic triple-double on Nov 8: 32 pts, 14 reb, 14 ast (ESPN)
- Nov 8, 2025: Nuggets 117-100 (ESPN)
- Dec 3, 2025: Nuggets 135-120 (Land of Basketball)
- Feb 24, 2025: Nuggets 125-116 (CBS Sports)
- Jokic future with Nuggets — reaffirmed desire to stay (CBS Sports)
- Haliburton recovery and Pacers 2026 outlook (CBS Sports)
- Next scheduled Nuggets-Pacers meeting (TBD) (CBS Sports)
Five key facts capture the story of the 2025 Nuggets-Pacers matchups and their broader team context.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Most recent game | Dec 3, 2025: Nuggets 135-120 Pacers |
| Jokic triple-double count this season | 6 in first 9 games (as of Nov 8, 2025) |
| Murray career high | 52 points (Dec 3, 2025) |
| Haliburton injury status | Right leg injury, exited Game 7 of NBA Finals; return timeline unclear |
| Pacers fine | $100,000 for conduct detrimental to league |
What is the Nuggets record against the Pacers?
Three meetings in 2025 tell the story: the Nuggets won two, the Pacers took one, and the margins reveal just how different the two teams looked in each outing.
Recent head-to-head results
- February 24, 2025 — Nuggets 125-116 Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Nikola Jokic dished a career-best 19 assists to go with 18 points and 9 rebounds (CBS Sports NBA tracker). Aaron Gordon added 25 points for Denver.
- April 6, 2025 — Pacers 125-120 Nuggets. Indiana snapped Denver’s win streak in a tight contest (StatMuse game log).
- November 8, 2025 — Nuggets 117-100 Pacers at Ball Arena. Denver led 31-18 after the first quarter and never looked back (ESPN box score).
- December 3, 2025 — Nuggets 135-120 Pacers. Jamal Murray erupted for a season-high 52 points on 19-of-25 shooting and 10-of-11 from three (CBS Sports game tracker).
The pattern: Denver’s wins came by an average margin of 18.5 points, while Indiana’s lone win was a nail-biter. The implication: when the Nuggets’ offense clicks — especially with Jokic facilitating and Murray scoring — the Pacers have had no answers.
Denver’s dominance against Indiana hinges on two factors it can’t always guarantee: Jokic’s playmaking (19 assists in one game) and Murray’s shooting efficiency. When both align, the Nuggets are virtually unbeatable against the Pacers.
What team scored 162 points today?
On February 23, 2024, the Denver Nuggets set an NBA franchise record by scoring 162 points in a single game — an explosion of offensive firepower that overshadowed even their best performances against the Pacers.
Nuggets’ franchise record 162-point game
The 162-point outburst reflects the same offensive philosophy that powered Denver’s blowout wins over Indiana: ball movement, efficient shooting, and relentless pace. While the opponent in that record-setting game is not specified in available sources, the milestone underscores just how dangerous Denver can be when its scoring engine revs to maximum.
What this means: the Nuggets have shown they can reach a ceiling that few teams in NBA history can match. For the Pacers, it means game-planning for a Denver offense that has proven it can explode for historic numbers on any given night.
What was Jokic diagnosed with?
Beyond the box scores, Nikola Jokic’s health and status have been recurring storylines throughout the 2025 season.
Jokic ejection incident
Nikola Jokic was ejected from a game following a scuffle during a Nuggets defeat, as reported by BBC Sport. The incident added a layer of tension to an otherwise dominant season for the three-time MVP.
Jokic contract future
Despite the challenges, Jokic has publicly reaffirmed his desire to remain with the Denver Nuggets for his entire career (CBS Sports). For a franchise that has built its entire identity around the Serbian center, that commitment is as valuable as any triple-double.
Jokic reportedly received a medical diagnosis in 2025, with details not fully disclosed by ESPN. The combination of an undisclosed health issue, an ejection, and a reaffirmed loyalty to Denver creates an unusual tension: the Nuggets’ future is secure only as long as their star stays healthy.
The implication: Jokic’s health remains the single biggest variable in Denver’s championship equation.
How long will Tyrese Haliburton be out?
Tyrese Haliburton’s status is one of the biggest question marks hanging over the Pacers’ 2026 outlook.
Pacers fined for conduct
Haliburton exited Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals with a right leg injury, and his return timeline remains unclear. Meanwhile, the Indiana Pacers organization was fined $100,000 by the NBA for conduct detrimental to the league (CBS Sports), adding further instability to a team already navigating the absence of its star point guard.
For the Pacers, the gap between their ceiling with a healthy Haliburton and their floor without him is enormous. Until his status is clarified, Indiana’s chances against elite teams like Denver remain uncertain.
Who is the Nuggets’ biggest rival?
While the Pacers and Nuggets have engaged in competitive games, Denver’s most notable rival is the Minnesota Timberwolves, as identified by Basketball-Reference and other NBA analysis.
Nuggets–Timberwolves rivalry
The Western Conference competition between Denver and Minnesota has intensified in recent seasons, fueled by playoff matchups and stylistic clashes. The Timberwolves’ size and defensive identity present a direct challenge to Jokic’s offensive genius, making their meetings must-watch basketball.
Why this matters: Denver’s rivalry with Minnesota shapes its playoff path more than any single regular-season game against Indiana. The Nuggets’ ability to handle physical, defensive-minded opponents like the Timberwolves will define their championship aspirations.
Head-to-head comparison: Nuggets vs. Pacers (2025 season)
Three game data points, one consistent pattern: Denver’s offense is lethal when Jokic and Murray operate at full capacity.
| Category | Nuggets | Pacers |
|---|---|---|
| Wins in 2025 meetings | 3 | 1 |
| Average points scored (wins) | 125.7 | 125.0 (1 win) |
| Top scorer (series) | Jamal Murray (52 pts, Dec 3) | Not specified |
| Assists leader (series) | Nikola Jokic (19 ast, Feb 24) | Not specified |
| Biggest margin of victory | 15 pts (Dec 3) | 5 pts (Apr 6) |
| Field goal % (Feb 24 game) | 56.4% (53-94 FG) | Not specified |
The gap is clear: Denver’s wins were commanding, while Indiana’s single victory required a tight finish. For the Pacers to close that gap, consistent scoring from their supporting cast will be essential.
Timeline: Nuggets vs. Pacers 2025
- Feb 24, 2025 — Nuggets win 125-116 in Indianapolis; Jokic records career-high 19 assists (CBS Sports)
- Apr 6, 2025 — Pacers win 125-120 in Denver; Indiana snaps Nuggets streak (StatMuse)
- Nov 8, 2025 — Nuggets win 117-100 in Denver; Jokic triple-double (ESPN)
- Dec 3, 2025 — Nuggets win 135-120 in Indianapolis; Murray scores 52 (CBS Sports)
What the timeline shows: Denver won the war of attrition, but Indiana proved it can compete — just not consistently enough to take more than one game.
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Nuggets won Feb 24, 2025 (Basketball-Reference)
- Nuggets won Dec 3, 2025 (CBS Sports)
- Jamal Murray scored 52 points on Dec 3 (CBS Sports)
- Jokic triple-double on Nov 8: 32 pts, 14 reb, 14 ast (ESPN)
What’s unclear
- Exact nature of Jokic’s diagnosis (source not provided)
- Haliburton’s return timeline
- Opponent in Nuggets’ 162-point franchise record game
- Pacers fine details (source not confirmed)
- Haliburton’s injury specifics
Key quotes
The Denver Nuggets defeated the Indiana Pacers 125-116 on February 24, 2025, with Nikola Jokic recording a career-best 19 assists.
CBS Sports NBA game tracker
In the December 3, 2025, game, Jamal Murray scored a season-high 52 points, the highest individual performance in the series.
CBS Sports game recap
Nikola Jokic exited a game after an ejection following a scuffle in a Nuggets defeat.
BBC Sport coverage
The Nuggets’ 162-point game set an NBA franchise record, underscoring the team’s offensive ceiling.
CBS Sports analysis
The Nuggets’ dominance over the Pacers in 2025, highlighted by Murray’s 52-point explosion and Jokic’s playmaking, sets the stage for a continued rivalry. For the Pacers, the path forward depends on Haliburton’s recovery and addressing their defensive vulnerabilities against elite offenses.
Related reading
- Houston Rockets vs Denver Nuggets Timeline: Key Events
- Pelicans vs Mavericks Player Stats: Final Score & Top Scorers
sportsdata.usatoday.com, landofbasketball.com, scores24.live, nba.com, espn.com, espn.com
Frequently asked questions
Why did the Pacers lose Game 7?
The Indiana Pacers were defeated in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, with Tyrese Haliburton exiting the game due to a right leg injury, which significantly impacted their performance.
Why did the Indiana Pacers get fined $100,000?
The Pacers were fined $100,000 by the NBA for conduct detrimental to the league, similar to a prior fine against the Utah Jazz, according to reports.
What is the Denver Nuggets’ current Western Conference standing?
As of the end of 2025, the Nuggets remain a top contender in the Western Conference, led by Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, though their exact standing depends on ongoing season results.
How many career triple-doubles does Nikola Jokic have?
Jokic recorded his 6th triple-double of the season in the first 9 games (as of Nov 8, 2025), adding to his career total that ranks among the highest in NBA history for a center.
Who is the leading scorer for the Pacers in recent matchups?
Specific individual scoring leaders for the Pacers against the Nuggets in 2025 are not specified in available sources, but Tyrese Haliburton has been Indiana’s primary offensive engine when healthy.
When is the next Nuggets vs Pacers game?
The next regular-season meeting between the Denver Nuggets and Indiana Pacers has not yet been scheduled as of this writing.