Tyrese Maxey’s 42 points not enough when Sixers fall to Denver Nuggets, 137-134

The closing minutes turned into a offensive duel between Tyrese Maxey, 76ers ‘All-Star Snub and Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets’ three-time MVP.

And Jokić’s scoring and Playmaking-Inclusive a crucial coat with 12.3 seconds to play-pushed nuggets to a 137-134 win in a very entertaining matchup Friday night at Wells Fargo Center.

The loss cracked Sixers’ victory traits with four games and prevented them from finishing a mini-encompassing tour this week.

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Coach Nick Nurse said Wednesday that Sixers had used their 1st January loss to Sacramento Kings as they surrendered a 15-0 race to end the game, as an extra dose of motivation to pull away to a 117-104 Victory in Wednesday’s Rematch. When asked if the coach felt a similar attitude from his team before Friday’s Matchup against Nuggets – after a January 21 – Defensive Debakel in Denver, which provoked screams from the postgame dressing room – said NURSE: “I hope so.”

After the nuggets took a 21-12 lead by 6 minutes, 13 seconds left in the first quarter, Sixers replied with a 13-3 race limited by a three-point of Maxey to seize a 25-24 advantage at 2 : 56 brand. The teams went back and forth through the second quarter, and the nuggets led, 73-69, during the break after shot a blistering 66.7% from the floor with 22 assists on 28 made baskets. Sixers continued to make 13 of their 24 three-point attempt and score 13 points from eight Nuggets revenue.

No team led by double digits or created any real separation until the diminishing seconds.

After a Kelly Oubre Corner three-point gave Sixers a 128-125 lead with 1:47 to play, Jokić replied by finding Christian Braun under the curve for a light finish before he backs down Maxey for a bucket through contact to put Denver back up again by two. Jokić’s high-arching three-pointer gave his team a 133-130 lead with 39.1 seconds to play, but Maxey made a mistake and sank both free kicks before Jokić’s last drive.

It was also another game that Sixers played without wounded stars Joel Embiid (knee)-officially prevented a Premier Center-Matchup against Jokić in the regular season 2024-25 and Paul George (finger).

Nurse said before Friday’s game that a Saturday training would be a significant determining factor in EMBIID’s timeline to return, and George’s status is still considered day to day. Sixers Rotation Players Caleb Martin (Hip), Andre Drummond (Toe) and KJ Martin (Foot) were also out.

Maxey, in his first game since learning, had been left by the All-Star Reserve List, ended with 42 points, his fourth consecutive 30-point excursion and nine assists. Guerschon Yabusle added a career hill 28 points on an effective 12-of-17 shooting from the field, including a high-flying spawn-oop finish after Rookie Justin Edwards spun past Russell Westbrook and delivered Lob Pass. Oubre added 27 points, five assists and seven rebounds for Sixers, who got 32 Fastbreak points and 30 points from 19 Nuggets turnover.

»Read more: Tyrese Maxey not selected as All-Star Reserve, Sixers shuts out of NBA Showcase

Jokić-the defending MVP and a front runner to win the award for the fourth time in his career-gone miss his league-leading 22. Triple of the season with 28 points on 11-of-16 shoots, nine rebounds and 13 helps.

Sixers continues this six-game Homestand on Sunday against defending champion Boston Celtics (6 pm, ESPN, NBCSP), before a back-to-back against Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat on Tuesday and Wednesday.