The Nuggets didn’t have a very merry Christmas, but they at least salvaged a happy new year. In their first game of 2025, they picked up their third consecutive win, 139-120 over the Hawks, by pulling away in a 41-24 third quarter when a dose of defense was desperately needed. They distanced themselves with a 12-0 run a few minutes into the second half, led by some tough shot-making from Michael Porter Jr. “I think as the year’s gone on and on, we’re getting better and better (offensively),” Porter said. Nikola Jokic amassed 23 points, 17 rebounds assists and 15 assists in 29 minutes.