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
Regular Season Series
Series tied 1-1
Game Information
- Referees:
- Mark Lindsay
- Michael Smith
- John Butler
2025-26 Northwest Standings
| Team | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | 27 | 5 | .844 | - | W1 |
| Denver | 22 | 9 | .710 | 4.5 | L1 |
| Minnesota | 20 | 12 | .625 | 7 | L2 |
| Portland | 13 | 19 | .406 | 14 | W1 |
| Utah | 12 | 19 | .387 | 14.5 | W2 |
2025-26 Southeast Standings
| Team | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando | 18 | 14 | .563 | - | W1 |
| Miami | 17 | 15 | .531 | 1 | W2 |
| Atlanta | 15 | 18 | .455 | 3.5 | L6 |
| Charlotte | 11 | 20 | .355 | 6.5 | W2 |
| Washington | 7 | 23 | .233 | 10 | W2 |

