NBA: Jokic notches another triple-double as Nuggets rout reeling 76ers

Nikola Jokic had 27 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists for his 19th triple-double of the season, reserve Aaron Gordon was nearly perfect from the floor and the Denver Nuggets rolled over Philadelphia 144-109 on Tuesday night, extending the 76ers’ losing streak to seven games.

Jokic finished his triple-double late in the third quarter with an assist that led to a dunk from Gordon. Jokic didn't play in the fourth quarter.

Gordon was 6 of 7 from the floor - 3 of 3 from 3-point range - and hit all four attempts at the free-throw line to finish with 19 points. The Nuggets had six players in double figures, including a 23-point performance from Julian Strawther.

Tyrese Maxey had 28 points and 10 assists for a Sixers team that remains without standout big man Joel Embiid due to swelling in his left knee.

Paul George (sore groin), Andre Drummond (toe) and Guerschon Yabusele (right knee) returned to the 76ers lineup. George finished with 11 points, Drummond eight and Yabusele 22.

Philadelphia cut Denver's lead to eight early in the third quarter before the Nuggets went on a 24-12 run.

The Nuggets shot 61.2% from the field and 51.6% from 3-point range.

Top 2 not 2 pic.twitter.com/S1dGF1AClC
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) January 22, 2025

Raptors rally past Magic

Scottie Barnes had 17 points and 11 rebounds, RJ Barrett added 19 points and the Toronto Raptors overcame a 21-point deficit to beat the struggling Orlando Magic 109-93.

Gradey Dick scored 17 points and Bruce Brown had 15 as Toronto snapped a four-game losing streak against Orlando.

The Raptors won for the first time this season when trailing at halftime after they entered 0-23 in such games.

Dick had 10 points in the third, including two dunks, as the Raptors outscored Orlando 40-20 to turn a five-point halftime deficit into a 15-point advantage.

Paolo Banchero had 26 points and 12 rebounds for Orlando, which couldn’t hold on after taking leads of 10-0 and 32-11 in the opening quarter. The Magic have lost four straight.

The last time the Raptors trailed by at least 21 points in the first quarter and rallied to win was a 93-85 home victory over Dallas on Jan. 22, 2014.

Orlando made its first five 3-point attempts but shot 4 for 26 from long distance the rest of the way.

Nothin’ like a home win! Presented by @McDonaldsCanada pic.twitter.com/C7A4eoX8zs
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 22, 2025

James stuffs stat sheet in Lakers’ win

LeBron James had 21 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds one day after flying to Atlanta and back to watch a football game on his day off, and the Los Angeles Lakers sent the Washington Wizards to their 11th consecutive defeat with a 111-88 victory.

James recorded his 121st career triple-double and his ninth of the season. The top scorer in NBA history showed no ill effects from his long trip Monday to watch his Ohio State Buckeyes' College Football Playoff championship game victory over Notre Dame.

Anthony Davis had 29 points and 16 rebounds for Los Angeles. Dorian Finney-Smith hit four 3-pointers while scoring 16 points, and Austin Reaves added 16.

Bilal Coulibaly scored 17 points for the Wizards, who haven't won since New Year's Day. Jordan Poole and Corey Kispert had 15 points apiece for Washington, which dropped to 1-18 on the road midway through a six-game trip.

James scored 10 points in the second quarter while the Lakers pulled away. He then completed his triple-double with 3:19 to play, and the Lakers immediately called timeout to get him and Davis out of the game.

THIS ANGLE of LeBron’s poster pic.twitter.com/jZuj2KiOYr
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) January 22, 2025