In an exhilarating matchup, Anthony Black achieved a career milestone by scoring a remarkable 38 points, leading the Orlando Magic to a narrow victory over the Denver Nuggets, 127-126. This game took place in Orlando, Florida, showcasing Black’s outstanding performance and the Magic’s resilience.
Key Player Performances
The game featured impressive performances from both teams. Nikola Jokic, the star center for the Nuggets, nearly recorded another triple-double, finishing with 34 points, 21 rebounds, and 12 assists. This marked his 180th career triple-double and 16th of the season, inching closer to Oscar Robertson for second on the NBA’s all-time triple-doubles list.
- Anthony Black: 38 points, 14 for 24 shooting, 7 for 11 from three-point range.
- Nikola Jokic: 34 points, 21 rebounds, 12 assists.
- Desmond Bane: 24 points, including crucial free throws late in the game.
- Jamal Murray: 24 points, missed the final shot of the game.
- Wendell Carter Jr.: 18 points, 7 rebounds.
Game Highlights
Desmond Bane made two pivotal free throws with just 6.9 seconds left, which helped the Magic complete a remarkable comeback from a 17-point deficit. Bane contributed significantly, scoring 15 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter alone. The Magic demonstrated impressive shooting accuracy, hitting 67.4% in the second half.
This defeat was particularly significant for the Nuggets, who were opening a seven-game road trip. It marked their second consecutive loss on the road after an impressive 11-game winning streak away from home. Tim Hardaway Jr. added 20 points for Denver, which shot 51.2% overall in the game.
Next Games
Looking ahead, the Nuggets will face the Miami Heat on Monday, while the Magic will visit the Toronto Raptors on the same day. Both teams aim to bounce back from this nail-biting encounter.
