Nikola Jokić, Nuggets Hailed By NBA Fans in Win vs. Maxey, 76ers with Joel Embiid Out
Zach BacharContributor IFebruary 1, 2025
David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images
The Denver Nuggets snapped a three-game losing streak on Friday night, taking down the Philadelphia 76ers by the final score of 137-134 at the Wells Fargo Center.
With the Nuggets maintaining a narrow one-point lead late in the fourth quarter, Nikola Jokić connected on a floater with 12 seconds left that pushed Denver’s lead to three.
NBA @NBAJOKER FLOATER. 🃏
3-POINT NUGGETS LEAD.
12.7 SECONDS. SIXERS BALL. ESPN. 🍿 pic.twitter.com/JxxGSMywMT
The 76ers cut the deficit to one with a bucket by Kelly Oubre Jr. shortly afterwards, but Jamal Murray connected on a pair of free throws and a last-second three-point attempt from Guerschon Yabusele missed to seal the win for the Nuggets.
Jokić nearly recorded a triple-double, finishing with 28 points and 13 assists to go along with nine rebounds. He shot 11-16 from the field, connecting on two of his three attempts from behind the arc.
The three-time MVP stepped up to secure the victory, scoring eight points within the final minute of regulation.
ESPN @espnJOKIC CLUTCH THREE❗
📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/SBpg2bYqmS
Fans were in awe of the heroics from Jokić.
StatMuse @statmuseJokic tonight:
28 PTS
9 REB
13 AST
Dropped 8 points in the final minute. pic.twitter.com/cpuIrJBxzq
WADE 🏀 @Its_WadeJokic just wanted to work on some clutch time scenarios. That’s all.
Ethical Hoops🏆 (only takes Ws) @EthicalHoopzI am not even exaggerating when I say Nikola Jokić is the most clutch basketball player of all time
Josh Rosen @JoshimpressionsJokic might be the best offensive player I’ve ever seen.
Jokic Muse @_JokicMuse_Nikola Jokic might mess around and win MVP and Clutch Player of the Year in the same season.
Bennett Durando @BennettDurandoNikola Jokic scored 11 of the Nuggets’ last 15 points after they trailed the 76ers 125-122 with 2:15 to play. Game-tying 3, go-ahead 3-point play, game-winning 3, driving insurance bucket.
Tim Bontemps @TimBontempsFinal: Nuggets 137, Sixers 134
Denver escapes with a wild win behind 28-9-13 from Nikola Jokic, who scored or assisted on 13 straight points in the crunch time to pull out the win.
Massive game from Tyrese Maxey, who had 42 & 9, in the loss to snap Philly’s 4 game win streak.
Murray scored a team-high 31 points and dished out 11 assists, while Michael Porter Jr. chipped in with 24 points and six rebounds on 10-14 shooting.
For the 76ers, Tyrese Maxey nearly led his team to an impressive win by finishing with 42 points and nine assists. He shot 15-26 from the field and hit six three-pointers.
Philadelphia was ultimately unable to overcome the absences of Joel Embiid and Paul George, who were out with knee and finger issues respectively.
The Nuggets improved to 29-19 with the victory, maintaining the No. 4 spot in the Western Conference standings.
