Denver Nuggets vs Charlotte Hornets Match Player Stats
Last Updated on March 21, 2025 by Daniel Williams
Basketball fans across the U.S. have been keeping a close eye on the Denver Nuggets and Charlotte Hornets this season, two teams that bring contrasting styles to the court. With the Nuggets flexing their star power and the Hornets relying on hustle and young talent, their matchups have delivered some compelling stat lines. As of today, March 21, 2025, let’s break down the Denver Nuggets vs. Charlotte Hornets match player stats from their two regular-season clashes this year, dig into the numbers, and see what they tell us about these squads.
Recapping the 2024-25 Season Matchups
The Nuggets and Hornets squared off twice this season so far: February 1, 2025, in Charlotte, and February 20, 2025, in Denver. Both games tilted Denver’s way, but the Hornets showed flashes of fight. On February 1, the Nuggets eked out a 107-104 win at Spectrum Center, needing a late Jokić-led rally to escape. Then, on February 20, they flexed their muscles at Ball Arena, pulling away for a 129-115 victory. These games give us plenty of data to chew on, and you can find full box scores and recaps on NBA.com or ESPN.com if you want to dig deeper.
Star Performers and Their Numbers
Denver Nuggets Highlights
Nikola Jokić, the Nuggets’ do-it-all big man, was predictably dominant. In the February 1 thriller, he posted a triple-double with 28 points, 13 rebounds, and 17 assists, going 11-of-20 from the field. His five points in the final minute—including a clutch and-one—snatched victory from the Hornets’ grasp. On February 20, Jokić kept the pedal down, racking up 29 points, 17 rebounds, and nine assists, falling just shy of another triple-double. His 6-of-14 shooting from three-point range that night was a career-high in attempts, a sign he’s stretching his game even further.
Jamal Murray brought the heat, too. He scored 20 points on February 1 (8-of-18), with a 12-point third-quarter burst that kept Denver alive, then erupted for 34 points on February 20, hitting 12-of-18 shots, including 7-of-10 from deep. Murray’s post-All-Star break groove was on full display in that second win. Christian Braun also made his mark, especially on February 1, with 24 points and 11 rebounds, stepping up when Denver’s outside shooting faltered (7-of-37). Aaron Gordon (18 points on February 20) and Michael Porter Jr. (11 rebounds in the same game) rounded out a balanced Nuggets attack.
Charlotte Hornets Standouts
Miles Bridges was Charlotte’s go-to guy in both games. He dropped 22 points and grabbed eight boards on February 1, nearly pulling off the upset, then went off for a season-high 36 points and 13 rebounds on February 20, shooting 15-of-27. Despite the loss, Bridges showed he can hang with the league’s best. Nick Smith Jr. provided a spark off the bench on February 1 with 23 points, including 4-of-6 from three, while KJ Simpson added 10 points and six assists. Moussa Diabaté chipped in 12 points and nine rebounds in that game. By February 20, with LaMelo Ball (ankle) and Mark Williams (reconditioning) out, the Hornets leaned heavily on Bridges, but their thin roster couldn’t keep up.
Full Player Stats Table
Here’s the nitty-gritty from both games, pulled straight from NBA.com/stats and verified with ESPN.com.
| Player | Date | Team | MIN | PTS | FG | 3P | FT | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikola Jokić | Feb 1, 2025 | DEN | 37 | 28 | 11-20 | 2-7 | 4-4 | 13 | 17 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Jamal Murray | Feb 1, 2025 | DEN | 35 | 20 | 8-18 | 2-6 | 2-2 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Christian Braun | Feb 1, 2025 | DEN | 34 | 24 | 10-15 | 1-3 | 3-4 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Aaron Gordon | Feb 1, 2025 | DEN | 31 | 10 | 4-8 | 0-2 | 2-2 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Michael Porter Jr. | Feb 1, 2025 | DEN | 33 | 8 | 3-12 | 2-9 | 0-0 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Miles Bridges | Feb 1, 2025 | CHA | 38 | 22 | 9-18 | 2-5 | 2-2 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Nick Smith Jr. | Feb 1, 2025 | CHA | 27 | 23 | 9-15 | 4-6 | 1-1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Moussa Diabaté | Feb 1, 2025 | CHA | 30 | 12 | 5-8 | 0-0 | 2-4 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| KJ Simpson | Feb 1, 2025 | CHA | 25 | 10 | 4-10 | 1-4 | 1-2 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Nikola Jokić | Feb 20, 2025 | DEN | 35 | 29 | 11-23 | 6-14 | 1-2 | 17 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Jamal Murray | Feb 20, 2025 | DEN | 34 | 34 | 12-18 | 7-10 | 3-3 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Aaron Gordon | Feb 20, 2025 | DEN | 29 | 18 | 7-11 | 2-3 | 2-2 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Michael Porter Jr. | Feb 20, 2025 | DEN | 31 | 11 | 4-9 | 1-4 | 2-2 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Russell Westbrook | Feb 20, 2025 | DEN | 24 | 8 | 3-7 | 1-3 | 1-2 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Miles Bridges | Feb 20, 2025 | CHA | 39 | 36 | 15-27 | 3-7 | 3-4 | 13 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Nick Smith Jr. | Feb 20, 2025 | CHA | 28 | 14 | 5-12 | 2-5 | 2-2 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Moussa Diabaté | Feb 20, 2025 | CHA | 32 | 10 | 4-7 | 0-0 | 2-3 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
Key: Minutes (MIN), Points (PTS), Field Goals (FG), 3-Pointers (3P), Free Throws (FT), Rebounds (REB), Assists (AST), Steals (STL), Blocks (BLK), Turnovers (TO).
Team Stats Breakdown
In the February 1 game, the Nuggets shot 46.6% from the field (41-of-88) but struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 7-of-37 threes (18.9%). They compensated with 66 points in the paint and a slight edge in assists (28-24). The Hornets, meanwhile, shot 43.2% (41-of-95) and went 9-of-26 from three (34.6%), dominating second-chance points (17-13) thanks to their rebounding prowess (50-47 total). Fast forward to February 20, and Denver’s offense hummed at 50.6% (43-of-85) and 16-of-38 from deep (42.1%), outpacing Charlotte’s 44.2% (42-of-95) and 11-of-30 from three (36.7%). The Hornets hung tough with 52 paint points, but Denver’s 13-2 fourth-quarter run flipped the script.
Team Trends in the Numbers
On February 1, Denver shot 46.6% from the field (41-of-88) but went ice-cold from three (7-of-37, 18.9%), leaning on 66 points in the paint. The Hornets shot 43.2% (41-of-95) and hit 9-of-26 threes (34.6%), staying in it with 17 second-chance points off their league-leading rebounding. By February 20, the Nuggets found their range, shooting 50.6% (43-of-85) and 16-of-38 from deep (42.1%), while Charlotte matched them in the paint (52 points) but couldn’t stop a late 13-2 run fueled by Julian Strawther’s treys.
What We’ve Learned So Far
Jokić remains Denver’s heartbeat—his passing and rebounding set the table, and his scoring seals the deal. Murray’s resurgence and Braun’s hustle give the Nuggets layers, while their ability to flip the switch from inside scoring to perimeter fireworks shows their versatility. For Charlotte, Bridges is a bona fide star, but without Ball and Williams, they’re a one-man show too often. Their rebounding and transition game (15 fast-break points on February 20) keep them scrappy, but depth is a glaring issue.
Digging Deeper into the Stats
Want more Denver Nuggets vs. Charlotte Hornets match player stats? NBA.com/stats has real-time updates, and Basketball-Reference.com offers historical context and advanced metrics like PER or true shooting percentage. Both are goldmines for hoops nerds.
What’s Next on the Horizon
As of March 21, 2025, these teams have no more regular-season meetings scheduled unless the standings shake out for a playoff matchup—unlikely given Charlotte’s struggles and Denver’s contender status. The Nuggets are gearing up for a tough stretch, including back-to-back road games against the Thunder in early April, per NBA.com. The Hornets, meanwhile, are fighting to stay out of the East’s basement, with Ball’s health and Williams’ return as X-factors, according to SI.com. Keep an eye on injury reports—Denver’s Peyton Watson (knee) and Vlatko Čančar (knee) are still out, while Charlotte’s roster could shift if their stars get back on the floor.
