The Denver Nuggets used a 35-point fourth quarter to power their 19-point comeback as they defeated the Ben Simmons-less Philadelphia 76ers 100-97.
Simmons missed the first of what's expected to be three games with a right shoulder injury.
The 76ers didn't look like they missed Simmons through the first three periods of the game as they got out to an 84-65 lead heading into the fourth. That's where it all fell apart however as the Nuggets blew them out in the period winning it 35-13 stealing the victory away from Philadelphia on a Nikola Jokic high arcing jumper that splashed through the hoop with just 2.2 seconds remaining on the clock.
NIKOLA JOKIC PUTS THE @NUGGETS IN FRONT! #MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/mTyYAoDL2i
— NBA (@NBA) November 9, 2019
In a battle between Jokic and Joel Embiid — two of the best centers in the league, Jokic had the last laugh finishing with a game-high 26 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.
Embiid posted a double-double of 19 points, 15 rebounds but had a game-high eight turnovers in the loss.
Late in the game, Embiid picked up his sixth and final foul on a charge with just 0.09 to play. 76ers' head coach Brett Brown spoke about the call post-game:
Brett Brown says he has no words on that last offensive foul called at the end of the game. pic.twitter.com/q5FUVfb5Ni
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) November 9, 2019
After starting the season 5-0 the 76ers fall to 5-3 on the year and just 1-3 on their road trip. Philly finally returns home for a clash with the Charlotte Hornets on Monday.
Jokic and the Nuggets now turn their attention to another talented center as Karl Anthony-Towns and the Minnesota Timberwolves invite them into Target Center on Monday.