Jalen Pickett credited the Denver Nuggets’ team effort after a 125-124 overtime victory against the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday at Xfinity Mobile Arena. “We felt like we didn’t play well last game and we needed to come out with a bunch of energy and effort tonight… anything could happen,” Pickett said.
The Nuggets were missing multiple starters, including Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, but Pickett embraced his role as a leader. “With all our starters out, we needed a leader. So they look to me, Bruce, and Peyton to kind of lead us in this game,” he said.
Pickett delivered a career-high 29 points and seven assists across 42 minutes, helping Denver maintain pace despite the shortened rotation. “We came out and we knew it was going to start on the defensive end. So when you come out, play with that effort and get easy baskets in transition, confidence just builds,” he added.
The guard highlighted the collective energy that fueled Denver’s comeback. “When we come in with that mindset and just trying to steal a game, you know, anything could happen,” he noted. Pickett’s leadership guided the Nuggets through multiple lead changes in the fourth quarter and overtime.
Bruce Brown added 19 points and scored the decisive basket in overtime, which was ruled goaltending on Joel Embiid. Peyton Watson contributed 24 points and seven rebounds, while Denver shot 53 percent overall and 49 percent from three.
Despite Joel Embiid’s 32 points and Tyrese Maxey’s 28 points, the 76ers could not close out the game. Pickett’s poise and consistent decision-making under pressure were key in Denver’s narrow win.
Denver will travel to Boston on Wednesday, while Philadelphia remains home to host Washington.
