The Nuggets were in third place when Nikola Jokic got hurt. Nine games later, as they arrived at the halfway point of the season, they had somehow found a way to ascend to second without him.

Jamal Murray scored 33 points and the Denver Nuggets held on for a 118-109 victory over the Dallas Mavericks, who were without Cooper Flagg for the second half after the rookie No. 1 overall pick sprained his left ankle Wednesday night.

Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg has been ruled out for the second half against Denver after the No. 1 overall pick sprained his left ankle in the first half.

Nikola Jokic is making rapid progress in his injury recovery, with the Denver Nuggets optimistic about a potential late-January return.

The Dallas Mavericks were on the first night of a back-to-back Wednesday when they hosted the Denver Nuggets. The Mavs have had success against the Nuggets this year, but took a 118-109 loss in this one.

Brice Sensabaugh put up a career high 43 points, but the Bulls held on to defeat the Jazz 128-126. 119-105 in a spirited contest, earning their fourth straight win.

Thompson and the rest of the Mavericks went cold from 3 before Cooper Flagg added to the team’s recent string of miserable injury luck.