Denver Nuggets @ Orlando Magic
Black scores career-high 38, Magic overcome Jokic, Nuggets for 127-126 victory
ORLANDO, Fla. -- — Anthony Black scored a career-high 38 points, Desmond Bane made two free throws with 6.9 seconds left and the Orlando Magic overcame another huge triple-double by Nikola Jokic to beat the Denver Nuggets 127-126 on Saturday night.
Jokic had 34 points, 21 rebounds and 12 assists, his 180th triple-double and 16th of the season. Two nights after finishing with 56 points, 16 rebounds and 15 assists in a Christmas overtime victory over Minnesota, he pulled within one of Oscar Robertson for second on the NBA's career triple-doubles list.
Jamal Murray scored 24 points for Denver, but missed a long jump shot at the horn after Bane's free throws completed Orlando's comeback from a 17-point deficit.
Bane scored 15 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter for the Magic, who shot 67.4% in the second half.
Denver's loss, in the opener of a seven-game road trip, was its second straight on the road after 11 straight road victories.
Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 20 points for the Nuggets, who shot 51.2% for the game.
Wendell Carter Jr. had 18 points and seven rebounds for the Magic before fouling out with 11.9 seconds left after a replay reversal put Jokic on the line for Denver's final points.
Black shot 14 for 24 overall and made 7 of 11 3-point shots. He also had a steal from Jokic that led to a layup for his final points late in the fourth quarter.
Nuggets: Visit Miami on Monday.
Magic: Visit Toronto on Monday.
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AP NBA: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NBA
Matchups
Game Information
Orlando, FL

Referee:Mark Lindsay
Referee:Michael Smith
Referee:John Butler

2025-26 Standings
| Northwest | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | 49 | 15 | .766 | - | W4 |
| Minnesota | 39 | 23 | .629 | 9 | W4 |
| Denver | 38 | 24 | .613 | 10 | W1 |
| Portland | 30 | 33 | .476 | 18.5 | W1 |
| Utah | 18 | 44 | .290 | 30 | L7 |
| Southeast | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando | 32 | 28 | .533 | - | W1 |
| Miami | 33 | 29 | .532 | - | W2 |
| Charlotte | 32 | 31 | .508 | 1.5 | W6 |
| Atlanta | 32 | 31 | .508 | 1.5 | W5 |
| Washington | 16 | 45 | .262 | 16.5 | L6 |
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