The Denver Nuggets held off a determined, undermanned Philadelphia 76ers team 111-105 on Saturday, led by a dominant performance from Nikola Jokic, who scored 26 points and grabbed 16 rebounds in a game that did not feature a highly anticipated match-up with fellow MVP candidate Joel Embiid.
The top player for Philadelphia was absent from the Sixers’ match in Denver for the fourth year in a row because the team’s medical experts decided it was not advisable for him to participate due to his troublesome left knee.
Stat Comparison: 76ers vs. Nuggets
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the key player stats from the game:
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | FG% | 3P% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joel Embiid | 41 | 10 | 4 | 54.5% | 33.3% | 93.3% |
| Nikola Jokić | 25 | 12 | 10 | 55.6% | 33.3% | 100% |
| James Harden | 20 | 5 | 12 | 47.1% | 50.0% | 85.7% |
| Tyrese Maxey | 25 | 4 | 3 | 52.6% | 42.9% | 100% |
| Jamal Murray | 23 | 3 | 6 | 50.0% | 50.0% | 100% |
| Michael Porter Jr. | 20 | 7 | 2 | 50.0% | 40.0% | 100% |
| Tobias Harris | 17 | 6 | 2 | 63.6% | 33.3% | 100% |
| Aaron Gordon | 12 | 9 | 3 | 44.4% | 25.0% | 75.0% |
The Philadelphia 76ers versus the Denver Nuggets game did not skimp on entertainment, combining a star-studded cast with spectacular shows in clutch. In this review, we go over the stunning stats of every key player, which included Joel Embiid’s destruction, Nikola Jokić’s jaw-dropping triple-double, and the important pieces scratched in this NBA thriller.
Joel Embiid’s Points and Rebounds Domination Against Nuggets
As we know, Joel Embiid has been on an MVP drip all season. And without a surprise, he put up monstrous numbers against Denver, racking up 41 points alongside 10 rebounds and 4 dimes. The 76ers center got hot early, scoring 12-of-22 from the field, and he was absolutely unstoppable in the paint as he posted a staggering 14-15 from the free throw line. By the fourth quarter, Philadelphia was ahead, and Embiid scored a number of crucial buckets to seal the game for the 76ers due to his cancellation as one of the most unguardable players in the league.
Nikola Jokić Responds With His 25-12-10
The reigning Finals MVP responded in kind with his signature triple-double: 25 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. Denver’s star was riding shotgun scoringwise, but he was the one orchestrating every play flawlessly, shooting 10-of-18 and getting plenty of assists. Regardless of Embiid’s showtime in the frontside, Jokić’s terrific performance enabled Denver to stay in the game up to the closing seconds.
James Harden’s Playmaking and Scoring Impact
As the floor general for the Philadelphia 76ers, Harden continued to thrive as a scored 20 and added 12 assists. His balance of threes and threes was unparalleled, knocking down 4 out of 8 deep shots while also feeding the big man Embiid. Not to mention, Harden’s 8 first half assists set the tone for the Sixers as they flowed into the second half.
76ers vs. Nuggets: Player Highlights
Gordon vs. Embiid: The MVP dual exceeded expectation as both jogador’s tallied upto 66 points together along with 14 assists and 22 rebounds.
Defense Against Aaron Gordon: Gordon was able to limit Philidelphia’s wings to 38% along with grabbing 9 rebounds and 12 points.
Tobias Harris: Harris quietly had an efficient 17 points, including 2 big-time mid-range jumpers (7-of-11 FG) to seal the game late.
Team Stat Comparison
Rebounding: Nuggets out rebounded the 76ers 48-45 behind Jokić stellar performance adding 12 boards.
Assists: Philly passed around 28 assist (12 by Harden) while Denver made 24.
Three Pointers made: While the 76ers shot a whopping 40% (14_of_35), the Nuggets weren’t far behind raining threes.
Free Throws: Because of Embiid’s aggression, Philly got to the line 22 times (made 19) vs Denver who was given 15 with 12 makes.
Check out: OKC Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks Player Stats
Tyrese Maxey’s Scoring Spark
New sensation Tyrese Maxey lit up the scoreboard with 25 points including 3 long range shots. His pace in transition paired with off-the-ball movement opened up driving lanes for both Embiid and Harden. Maxey capped off a phenomenal third quarter with a 12 point explosion assisting in the 76ers critical lead.
Michael Porter Jr’s Impacted Scoring
Michael Porter Jr. aided in the 76ers defeat by registering 20 points and grabbing 7 rebounds while shooting at a 50% clip. His height in combination with his scoring ability gave Philadelphia’s defense problems, especially early on when he scored 14 points to keep the game close for Denver.
