Nikola Jokic triple-double not enough as Magic beat Nuggets

Orlando guard Anthony Black scored a career-high to pull out the win.

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic on the bench in the third quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

The Orlando Magic are playing the song after beating the Denver Nuggets 127-126 inside the Kia Center.

With 11.9 seconds left in the game, Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. went up for a jump ball. A foul was originally called on Jokic before getting overturned to a foul on Carter. Jokic sank both free throws to give the Nuggets a one-point lead.

The Magic had a final chance to win the game, where Desmond Bane drew a foul from Nuggets guard Bruce Brown with 6.9 seconds to go. Bane made both of his free throws to re-take the lead, giving the Nuggets a final chance to steal a win. Jamal Murray had a chance to win the game, but Anthony Black contested the shot and it fell short, giving the Magic the win.

Orlando Magic forward Tristan da Silva goes to the basket against Denver Nuggets guard Jalen Pickett. | Mike Watters-Imagn Images

Magic pull off big comeback behind Anthony Black

The Magic are happy with the big win, especially after a tough loss against the Charlotte Hornets just 24 hours prior to tipoff. The win gets the bad taste out of their mouth as they split the back-to-back at home.

Black scored a career-high 38 points in the win, which marks the largest point total for a single Magic player this season. He was accompanied by Desmond Bane, who had 24 of his own. Wendell Carter Jr. added 18 points while grabbing seven rebounds. Tristan da Silva posted 17 off the bench while Banchero dropped 12 of his own.

For the Nuggets, Jokic had a triple-double with 34 points, 21 rebounds and 12 assists to lead the way. Murray was next on the leaderboard with 24, while Tim Hardaway Jr. added 20. Peyton Watson was also efficient with 15 points on 6 of 9 shooting while two-way forward Spencer Jones put 14 on the board.

The team will now head north of the border to take on Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram and the Toronto Raptors. Tipoff is scheduled for Monday at 7:30 p.m. ET inside Scotiabank Arena. Fans can watch the game on FanDuel Sports Network or stream it on NBA League Pass.

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