Jamal Murray scored 14 of his 19 points in the third quarter and Nikola Jokic had 14 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Denver Nuggets to a 126-112 win over the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night.
Denver has won its first four games for the first time since starting 5-0 in 2009-10. The Nuggets swept their three-game homestand, including a win over Golden State on Sunday.
The Nuggets remained unbeaten despite allowing a team to break the century mark in points for the first time this season. The Nuggets held opponents to an NBA-best 95.7 points in the first three games but simply outscored Sacramento, which entered Tuesday second in the NBA in scoring at 125.7 points a game.
Gary Harris scored 18 points and Paul Millsap added 15 for Denver.
Denver's early defense helped build a 13-point halftime lead that grew to as much as 26 in the third quarter. Jokic, who was named the NBA Western Conference player of the week on Monday, had 11 points and 10 rebounds at halftime. He hit a 3-pointer to start the third quarter and then Murray took over.
Marvin Bagley III led Sacramento with 20 points and Justin Jackson scored 17. The Kings scored 15 points in the final 2:35.
TIP-INS
Kings: Sacramento's previous low was 117 points in its season opener against Utah. ... The Kings are in the midst of playing seven of nine games on the road. ... Sacramento was 52.3 percent from the field, just below its season average of 52.8 percent.
Nuggets: Former Denver Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan was in attendance. ... The Nuggets were 13 of 15 from the free-throw line after missing 18 against Golden State on Sunday. ... Eight players scored in double figures.
BARTON UPDATE
Forward Will Barton underwent successful surgery to repair core and hip muscle injuries, the team announced Tuesday morning.
"Hopefully we'll get some good news," coach Michael Malone said.
Barton was injured in the win over Phoenix on Saturday and will be out until December at the earliest. The team said he will be reevaluated in five weeks.
UP NEXT
Kings: Host Memphis on Wednesday night.
Nuggets: Travel to Los Angeles to face the Lakers.
