Nikola Jokic caps 19-point comeback with late game dagger to down the 76ers

Carlan Gay

Nikola Jokic caps 19-point comeback with late game dagger to down the 76ers image

The Denver Nuggets used a 35-point fourth quarter to power their 19-point comeback as they defeated the Ben Simmons-less Philadelphia 76ers 100-97.

Simmons missed the first of what's expected to be three games with a right shoulder injury. 

The 76ers didn't look like they missed Simmons through the first three periods of the game as they got out to an 84-65 lead heading into the fourth. That's where it all fell apart however as the Nuggets blew them out in the period winning it 35-13 stealing the victory away from Philadelphia on a Nikola Jokic high arcing jumper that splashed through the hoop with just 2.2 seconds remaining on the clock.

In a battle between Jokic and Joel Embiid — two of the best centers in the league, Jokic had the last laugh finishing with a game-high 26 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. 

Embiid posted a double-double of 19 points, 15 rebounds but had a game-high eight turnovers in the loss.

Late in the game, Embiid picked up his sixth and final foul on a charge with just 0.09 to play. 76ers' head coach Brett Brown spoke about the call post-game:

After starting the season 5-0 the 76ers fall to 5-3 on the year and just 1-3 on their road trip. Philly finally returns home for a clash with the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday. 

Jokic and the Nuggets now turn their attention to another talented center as Karl Anthony-Towns and the Minnesota Timberwolves invite them into Target Center on Sunday.

Carlan Gay