In what is already being hailed as the "upset of the year," a severely depleted Denver Nuggets squad pulled off an improbable 125-124 overtime victory against the Philadelphia 76ers on January 5, 2026. Playing without their entire starting lineup including three time MVP Nikola Jokic the Nuggets relied on a career best performance from sophomore guard Jalen Pickett and a controversial late game whistle to silence the crowd at the Xfinity Mobile Arena.

The Pickett Revolution: Denver’s Bench Steps Up

With Nikola Jokic sidelined by a hyperextended left knee and Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, and Christian Braun also out, the Nuggets entered Philadelphia as massive underdogs. However, Jalen Pickett seized the spotlight, exploding for a career high 29 points and 7 assists. Pickett was lethal from beyond the arc, knocking down seven three pointers, including a critical triple to open the scoring in overtime.

Pickett wasn't alone in his heroics. Peyton Watson provided 24 points and a sequence of elite defensive stops, while Zeke Nnaji added 21 points off the bench. The Nuggets' second unit played with an aggression that caught the Sixers off guard, leading to a 14-0 run in the fourth quarter that turned a late deficit into a narrow lead.

Embiid and Maxey Fight Back

The Philadelphia 76ers, coming off a three game winning streak, looked to exploit Denver's lack of size. Joel Embiid was dominant for stretches, finishing with 32 points and 10 rebounds. Despite his scoring, Embiid struggled with ball security late in the game, committing 6 turnovers as the Nuggets swarmed him in the paint.

Tyrese Maxey contributed 28 points and hit the driving layup with 49 seconds left in regulation to send the game into overtime tied at 120. Rookie sensation VJ Edgecombe also continued his strong campaign, scoring 17 points and giving the Sixers their final lead of the night with a dunk in the extra period.

The Controversial Finish: Goaltend and the Buzzer

The final seconds of overtime were defined by chaos. Trailing by one, Denver’s Bruce Brown raced up court in transition and attempted a running layup with 5.3 seconds remaining. Embiid rose for the block, but officials immediately ruled it a goaltend, awarding Brown the bucket and giving Denver a 125-124 lead.

Philadelphia had one final chance to win the game. Tyrese Maxey took the inbound pass and drove to the rim for a signature running scoop shot. The ball danced around the rim as the buzzer sounded but ultimately rolled out, sealing the victory for the short handed Nuggets.

Impact on the Standings and Season Momentum

For Denver, this win serves as a vital "palate cleanser" during a grueling seven game road trip. Despite being battered by injuries, the Nuggets proved their developmental system is producing players capable of winning high stakes games. They now move forward with renewed confidence while they wait for Jokic’s expected return at the end of the month.

The 76ers, meanwhile, will view this as a missed opportunity to gain ground in the Eastern Conference. Despite having their primary stars healthy and active, the inability to close out a game against a "bench squad" highlights lingering concerns about their defensive consistency in late game situations.