ORLANDO, Fla. (Interstat) — The Orlando Magic erased a 17-point deficit to edge the Denver Nuggets 127-126 on Saturday at Kia Center. Desmond Bane made two free throws with 6.9 seconds remaining for the decisive points after Nikola Jokic had tied the game at the line moments earlier. Anthony Black led the Magic with 38 points, fueling a comeback from a 62-48 halftime hole. Orlando outscored Denver 43-33 in the fourth quarter before a crowd of 19,151. Jokic posted a triple-double for Denver with 34 points, 21 rebounds and 12 assists. Jamal Murray added 24 points. The Nuggets, who led by double digits for much of the first three quarters, fell to 22-9. The Magic improved to 18-14.

ORLANDO, Fla. (Interstat) — In a stunning reversal of fortune, the Orlando Magic, powered by a career-high 38 points from Anthony Black, erased a 20-point deficit to stun the Denver Nuggets 127-126 on Saturday night at a sold-out Kia Center. The game turned on a frenetic final 11.9 seconds, which required two coach’s challenges and multiple clock stoppages to untangle. With Orlando leading 125-123, Denver’s Nikola Jokic was fouled on a putback attempt. After a Denver challenge confirmed the foul, Jokic calmly sank both free throws to tie the game with 11.9 seconds left. On the ensuing inbound, Orlando’s Wendell Carter Jr. was immediately fouled. He missed the first free throw but made the second, putting Orlando up 126-125. Denver called timeout to advance the ball. Out of the break, Jokic found a cutting Jamal Murray for a driving floating jumper that gave Denver a 126-125 lead with 6.9 seconds remaining. Orlando immediately answered. After a timeout, Carter inbounded to Tristan da Silva, who drove the length of the floor and hit a tough, floating jumper in the lane to put Orlando back ahead 127-126 with 3.3 seconds left. Denver had one final chance. Murray received the inbound and created space for a 21-foot fadeaway from the left wing, but the shot hit back iron as time expired, sealing the Magic’s improbable comeback victory before an announced crowd of 19,151. The dramatic finish capped a game defined by two distinct halves. The Nuggets, executing with clinical precision, built a commanding 62-48 halftime lead. They scored 31 points in each of the first three quarters, led by Jokic’s dominant all-around performance. The two-time MVP finished with 34 points, 21 rebounds and 12 assists for his ninth triple-double of the season. Jamal Murray added 24 points for Denver. Orlando, however, refused to capitulate. After being held to just 48 first-half points, the Magic’s offense ignited after the break. They exploded for 36 points in the third quarter and an astonishing 43 in the fourth, outscoring Denver 79-64 in the second half. Anthony Black was the catalyst for the rally. The second-year guard from Texas scored 30 of his 38 points after halftime, attacking the rim and hitting timely perimeter shots. He added six rebounds and five assists. His backcourt mate, Desmond Bane, provided crucial support with 24 points and six assists, including four key free throws in the final minute. Wendell Carter Jr. contributed 18 points and seven assists, while da Silva’s 17 points included the game-winner. The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for the Nuggets, who fell to 22-9. It was a costly defeat in a tight Western Conference race. The Magic, meanwhile, improved to 18-14, demonstrating significant resilience after a blowout loss to Charlotte just 24 hours earlier. The game’s statistical oddity underscored Denver’s frustrating night. Despite Jokic’s massive triple-double and remarkably consistent scoring output by quarter, the Nuggets’ defense collapsed when it mattered most. Orlando shot 58 percent from the field in the second half and made 11 of 12 free throws in the fourth quarter to complete the rally. According to National Statistical’s ELO system, Denver entered with a 63.7 percent probability to win and was installed as a 4.5-point favorite. The combined score of 253 points sailed over the pregame over/under line of 236. The victory avenges a 126-115 loss in Denver just nine days prior and gives the Magic a signature win as they continue a challenging stretch of their schedule. Denver, now 1-2 on its current road trip, must regroup quickly before facing the Miami Heat on Monday. Orlando travels to face the Toronto Raptors the same night.

Preview: Nuggets at Magic, Saturday, December 27, 2025 ORLANDO, Fla. (Interstat) — The Denver Nuggets, led by a historic stretch from Nikola Jokic, visit the Orlando Magic on Saturday night at Kia Center in a rematch of a high-scoring affair from just over a week ago. Denver (22-8) enters on a high after a thrilling 142-138 overtime victory over Minnesota on Christmas Day, a game in which Jokic posted a monumental 56-point, 16-rebound, 15-assist triple-double. The Nuggets have won eight of their last 10, with their offense humming. Jokic is averaging a triple-double for December, with four in his last five games, including a 23-point, 11-rebound, 13-assist performance in a 126-115 win over these Magic on Dec. 18. Orlando (17-13) looks to defend its home court and avenge that recent loss. The Magic are coming off a 110-106 road win in Portland on Tuesday, led by 23 points from guard Desmond Bane. Bane, however, was held to just six points in the previous meeting with Denver. The Magic have been inconsistent, alternating wins and losses in their last six games. The Nuggets’ offense, averaging over 128 points per game in December, presents a major challenge for an Orlando defense that allowed 126 points in the first matchup. Containing Jokic, who facilitates everything for Denver, will be the primary focus for Magic coach Jamahl Mosley. For Orlando, generating efficient offense beyond Bane will be critical. The Magic shot just 42.7% from the field in the loss in Denver. They will need a stronger performance from their supporting cast to keep pace with the Western Conference contenders. This game concludes a three-game homestand for Orlando. Denver continues a challenging six-game road trip that will next take them to Miami on Monday. The game tips off at 7 p.m. EST at Kia Center.