The Denver Nuggets, led by Nikola Jokic’s dominant triple-double, defeated the Orlando Magic 113-100 on Sunday night to improve their record to 26-16.

Jokic recorded 20 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists, and three blocks in just 30 minutes, sitting out the entire fourth quarter. Christian Braun contributed with a career night, notching 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Jamal Murray added 19 points.

The Magic, now 23-21, struggled against Denver’s rebounding dominance. Wendell Carter Jr. led Orlando with 16 points and 13 rebounds, while Anthony Black came off the bench with 14 points and five assists. Orlando has now dropped five of its last six games.

Denver’s shooting efficiency was key to their victory. The team shot 52% from the field despite a subpar 28% performance from beyond the arc. The Nuggets overcame 20 turnovers by controlling the glass, outrebounding Orlando 57-40. Braun alone contributed five offensive boards, and Jokic grabbed 14 rebounds to further solidify the team’s dominance.

The Magic were without key players, including Jalen Suggs and Goga Bitadze, forcing them to lean heavily on their starters and bench. Paolo Banchero struggled, shooting 4-for-16 from the field to finish with 10 points, while Jonathan Isaac contributed 10 points and six rebounds off the bench in limited minutes.

Murray and Michael Porter Jr. provided critical support for Denver, combining for 34 points. Porter Jr. connected on three of five three-point attempts, while Murray facilitated the offense with four assists. Russell Westbrook, playing 25 minutes, added 12 points and six assists for the Nuggets.

The Nuggets’ recent success has bolstered their standing in the Western Conference, with the team winning six of their last seven games.

For Orlando, injuries and inconsistent shooting hindered their ability to compete. The team shot just 37.3% from the field and 29.3% from three-point range. Despite outscoring Denver in the fourth quarter, the Magic were unable to overcome a 20-point deficit entering the final period.