PHILADELPHIA–The Philadelphia 76ers were looking to build off an overtime win on the road on Sunday when they returned home to host reigning league MVP Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets. It has been a couple of years since Jokic and Joel Embiid matched up and all eyes were on that matchup.
Embiid and Jokic went at it all night long and the crowd was really amped up and involved in this one early that it allowed the Sixers to build a lead as large as 19. The ball was whipping around and they were in control. Jokic then led a spirited comeback for the Nuggets as they were able to take the lead and eventually earn a 114-110 win on the road. Jokic had 22 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists while Bones Hyland had 21 off the bench for Denver.
Embiid led the way with 34 points and nine rebounds, James Harden had 24 points, nine rebounds, and 11 assists, Tobias Harris had 10 points and six rebounds, Matisse Thybulle had nine and six steals, and Tyrese Maxey added 19.
Here are the player grades following a tough loss at home: