The Denver Nuggets defeated the Charlotte Hornets, 111-93, at Ball Arena on Monday night.

The Nuggets (24-11) came in as sizable favorites -- especially with Terry Rozier (illness) unavailable for the visitors -- and played like it early, forging a 24-18 lead through one. However, the Hornets (7-24) impressively battled back in the second, sending the game into halftime knotted up at 49-49 thanks to a 31-point haul during the period. Nevertheless, Denver would change the dynamic of the contest for good in the third quarter, outscoring Charlotte by a 40-17 margin that made the final period a mere formality.

Miles Bridges led the Hornets with 26 points, adding nine rebounds, five assists and one steal. Nick Richards and Brandon Miller generated matching 15-point, one-assist tallies while pulling down eight and five rebounds, respectively. Ish Smith and Bryce McGowens posted 10 points apiece and added four and three assists, respectively.

Jamal Murray paced the Nuggets with 25 points, complementing them with seven assists, three rebounds, two steals and one block. Michael Porter Jr. turned in 22 points, eight rebounds and one assist. Reggie Jackson supplied 15 points, four rebounds, four assists and one steal. Nikola Jokic finished with 13 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, one steal and one block. Aaron Gordon netted 10 points, two rebounds, one steal and one block.

The Hornets remain on the road and visit the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night, while the Nuggets visit the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night.