Nuggets (2-4), Pelicans (1-5)
LAS VEGAS – With both teams resting multiple key players in their Vegas finale, New Orleans gave first-time starts Friday to lesser-known names, such as Iowa undrafted rookie Peter Jok and Northwestern undrafted rookie Sanjay Lumpkin, the son of a former Saints safety. As Cheick Diallo, Quinn Cook and Axel Toupane watched from the sideline, their unproven Pelicans teammates played Denver tightly, but ultimately dropped another close game. New Orleans lost games in Nevada by margins of 2, 2, 5 and 5.
IT WAS OVER WHEN…
Jok missed a left-corner three-pointer as time ticked down and New Orleans trailed by five.