The Nuggets rang in 2024 with a ring celebration and their 24th win of the season.

Here are three takeaways from Denver’s 111-93 win over Charlotte on Monday at Ball Arena:

1. Welcome back, Aaron Gordon.

Denver’s starting power forward returned to the lineup for Monday’s game after missing the previous two contests because of injuries sustained from a dog bite. Despite the wrap around his shooting hand, Gordon looked and played like his old self early, making his first shot and blocking a Nick Richards put-back attempt in the first five minutes. He finished his first half with a strong two-handed dunk. The lopsided score allowed Gordon to ease back into action, finishing the game with under 25 minutes played. He made all but one of his five shots and finished with 10 points and a couple of rebounds. It wasn’t the loudest return, but there was enough to reassure Nuggets fans worried about Denver’s physical, tone setter inside.

2. Welcome back, Ish Smith.

The veteran journeyman received his 2023 championship ring prior to the game. Smith motioned for his former teammates to join him at center court where DeAndre Jordan handed him the ring. After the ceremony, it wasn’t an easy night for Smith, who started the game on Jamal Murray. Murray scored 11 quick points, but Smith stuck with it, finishing his return to Denver with 10 points, four assists and three rebounds. Smith has started more games against the Nuggets this season than he did all of last year, but he was a vital member of Denver’s championship culture. There’s not a person around the Nuggets who has a bad word to say about Smith, who deserved his recognition Monday.

3. Welcome back, Reggie Jackson.

Jackson didn’t go anywhere but experienced a tough couple of weeks. He’s been on and off the injury report with a skin lesion and calf tightness the last couple of games, and his efficiency dipped from where he was at earlier in the season. The veteran guard made 6 of 11 shots against Charlotte for 15 points. It was his first game in double figures since his 20-point outing on Dec. 18. In the six games in between, Jackson went 14 of 48 (29.2%) from the field. The bench relies on Jackson to provide a lot of the offensive punch, especially in the half court, making the bounce-back performance increasingly important.

NUGGETS 111, HORNETS 93

What happened: The Nuggets held Charlotte scoreless for the final 2:30 of the first quarter and led by six to start the second. Denver didn’t score for the first couple of minutes in the second and trailed by two when all five starters returned for the final seven-plus minutes of the quarter. The game was tied at 49 at halftime before Denver dominated the third quarter and took a 23-point lead to the fourth. Denver’s reserves handled the fourth quarter as Denver improved to 24-11 on the season.

What went right: Denver produced another decisive third quarter run against the Hornets. After winning the third quarter 30-9 in Charlotte on Dec. 23, the Nuggets started Monday’s third quarter on a 25-2 run that changed the complexion of the game in Denver’s favor once again. Michael Porter Jr. got it started by scoring Denver’s first five points. Then, Nikola Jokic got aggressive after taking just one shot in the first half, scoring Denver’s next seven points. Then, Jamal Murray hit a couple of 3s in the span of a minute. Denver ended up winning the quarter 40-17. Murray finished with a team-high 25 points, while Porter added 22 thanks in part to the big third quarter.

What went wrong: The Hornets started the new year with the league’s worst defensive rating, allowing 121.8 points per 100 possessions, but Denver managed just 49 points in the first half. The Nuggets turned it over seven times in the first two quarters and managed just 13 assists. Jamal Murray led the way with 14 points but needed 13 shots to get there. Murray scored 11 of those points in the first six minutes before cooling off. Michael Porter Jr. added 10 points on nine shots, while Nikola Jokic made the only shot he took before halftime.

Highlight of the night: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope left Nikola Jokic no choice. For much of the first half, it looked like Jokic was content to distribute, racking up five assists before he attempted his first shot in the final minute of the second quarter. Caldwell-Pope, known mostly as a shooter on offense, threaded a strong, one-handed bass pass as Jokic cut down the right side of the lane. Jokic knew better than waste such a pass and finished for Denver’s final two points of the first half.

Up next: The Nuggets are off to California for Thursday’s game against the Warriors.

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, right, goes up for a basket as Charlotte Hornets guard Ish Smith defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

David Zalubowski