Sixers lose in overtime to shorthanded Nuggets 125–124

The Sixers finally came home Monday night and promptly reminded everyone that momentum in the NBA is a fragile thing.

After ripping off three straight wins, Philly dropped a brutal 125–124 overtime loss to a Nuggets team that barely resembled the Nuggets. Denver was playing on the road without Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon.

Somehow, they still managed to beat the Sixers. Brutal.

Joel Embiid finished with 32 points and 10 rebounds, Tyrese Maxey added 28 points, six boards, six assists and four steals, and yet the final moments told the story.

Embiid was whistled for goaltending on a Bruce Brown layup with 5.3 seconds left in overtime, and Maxey’s potential game-winning floater rattled out at the horn.

Game over and a very rough way to snap a winning streak.

Sloppy start set the tone

Coming off a five-game road trip, the Sixers looked like a team still unpacking. Denver jumped out to an 11–2 lead behind early threes, while Philly missed its first six attempts from deep and generally looked disorganized.

The one constant was Embiid. Even against a zone and a depleted frontcourt, Denver had no answer for his size. He scored 11 points in the first quarter alone, and a late Maxey three gave the Sixers a 26–24 edge after one.

and 1 for 21! pic.twitter.com/AhbFqH7rux

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) January 6, 2026

Between them, Embiid and Maxey accounted for 19 of those 26 points. Everyone else took a while to wake up.

VJ Edgecombe cools off, Denver heats up

Saturday night at Madison Square Garden felt like a coming-out party for VJ Edgecombe. Monday night was the regression portion of the rookie experience.

Edgecombe started 0-for-5, missed a couple of tough finishes through contact, and couldn’t buy an open three. He didn’t score until midway through the third quarter, and that drought hurt when Embiid and Maxey sat early in the second.

Meanwhile, Denver leaned all the way into the math. Jalen Pickett caught absolute fire, drilling four threes in the first half and seven total on his way to a career-high 29 points. Quentin Grimes tied the game at 58 just before halftime, and somehow the undermanned Nuggets were still standing.

Talent helps, execution wins

To Edgecombe’s credit, even on an off shooting night, he filled the box score. He finished with 17 points, nine assists, eight rebounds, two steals and two blocks. That versatility helped Philly build a nine-point lead late in the third, when the talent gap finally started to show.

But talent alone didn’t close it.

The fourth quarter was a mess. With Embiid off the floor, the Sixers bled points. A four-point play by Hunter Tyson flipped the game. Later, a foul on a Bruce Brown corner three made it 120–115 and felt like the dagger.

Except it wasn’t. Edgecombe hit a massive three. Maxey slashed in for a game-tying layup. Overtime arrived in full chaos mode.

Rese for the tie! pic.twitter.com/tmZPgTGEdx

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) January 6, 2026

A missed opportunity

Overtime felt frantic and uncomfortable, and the Sixers never quite grabbed control. Denver kept making shots, Philly kept flirting with disaster, and eventually one call and one miss decided it.

The Nuggets shot 53.1 percent from the field and nearly 49 percent from three. Against that efficiency, Philly’s slow start and shaky execution mattered.

This was a golden opportunity to win four straight. Instead, it turned into a reminder that focus matters, even against backups.

The Sixers fall to 19–15 and will try to reset Wednesday at home against the Wizards. Nick Nurse did offer some good news, saying Kelly Oubre Jr. and Trendon Watford could return any day now.

They could probably use the help.

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