Nuggets Defeat Magic 119-116 Thanks to Nikola Jokic’s Clutch Three-pointer
The Denver Nuggets defeated the Orlando Magic 119-116 on Sunday night thanks to a game-winning 3-pointer from Nikola Jokic with 1.2 seconds left that completed his 12th triple-double of the year.
Jokic finished the game with 17 points, 14 assists, and 10 rebounds. He connected from the top of the key, stepping back to get the shot away over Franz Wagner. He achieved his 88th triple-double in total.
With 25 points, Aaron Gordon led the Nuggets. He also made two free throws with 16 seconds left to give his team the lead, 116-115. Jamal Murray contributed an additional 18 points.
With 14 seconds remaining, Markelle Fultz tied the score at 116 with one of his two free throws for the Magic, who had 20 points overall. This opened the door for Jokic’s attempt. Paolo Banchero scored 18 points, Wagner added 19, and both players combined for 39.
Wagner’s layup just before the third quarter’s end helped the Magic close the gap from 15 points down at the half to six points.
Bol Bol’s dunk off a Cole Anthony alley-oop pass put Orlando in front 103-102 with 7:47 left in the game. Bol contributed seven points in less than a minute to help Orlando gain the lead, but the contest remained close as the teams traded the lead in the closing minutes.
In the first half, Michael Porter Jr., who finished with 16 points, made all four of his three-point attempts, giving the Nuggets a 69-54 lead. Jokic equaled the Magic’s team total of nine assists in the first half.
TIP-INS
Magic: G Gary Harris, who had to leave Friday’s game against Utah early due to a right hand injury, was back in the starting lineup for his return to Denver. Prior to moving to Orlando as part of the March 2021 trade that brought Gordon to Denver, Harris spent more than six years with the Nuggets.
With a sprained right ankle, G Bones Hyland of the Nuggets left the game in the middle of the second quarter and did not come back. He landed awkwardly while attempting to stop Bol Bol from dunk-running. … Due to a lower left leg contusion, F Vlatko Cancar was unable to play against the Magic.
News source: basketballnews.com
