Nuggets Edge 76ers 125-124 in Instant Classic as Murray’s Dagger Drops at Buzzer

Denver Stuns Philly in Heart-Stopper

Jamal Murray’s off-balance three with 0.4 seconds left lifted the Nuggets past the 76ers 125-124 Sunday night, capping a back-and-forth thriller that saw 15 lead changes and a roaring Wells Fargo Center crowd go silent in disbelief.

The Shot Heard ‘Round the NBA

Trailing 124-122, Denver inbounded with 5.1 ticks. Murray curled off a Jokić flare screen, caught the ball at the logo, took two hard dribbles and launched from 29 feet over Kelly Oubre Jr.’s outstretched hand. The buzzer sounded while the ball arced; nylon rippled, bedlam erupted. Murray finished with 34 points, 11 in the final three minutes.

“I’ve seen him do it a thousand times in practice,” Nikola Jokić said. “Tonight he did it on the biggest stage.”

Embiid’s 48-Point Statement Not Enough

Joel Embiid posted a season-high 48, bullying Denver’s frontline for 14 fourth-quarter points. Tyrese Maxey added 28, but Philly’s last possession—a missed step-back jumper by Embiid—left the door ajar for Murray’s heroics.

Key Runs & Turning Points

• Third-Quarter Barrage: Denver hit 7 straight threes to erase a 12-point deficit.
• Embiid Flurry: 10 straight Sixers points gave Philly a 118-115 edge with 2:01 left.
• Final 30 Seconds: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope strip on Maxey led to Murray’s go-ahead free throws before the final shot.

Playoff Atmosphere in January

Both benches stood the entire fourth quarter. Coaches scrambled rotations like it was Game 7. The win vaults Denver (27-10) into sole possession of the West’s top seed, while Philadelphia (23-14) falls to third in the East.

What’s Next

The Nuggets fly to Boston for a Tuesday showdown with the Celtics. The 76ers host Milwaukee the same night, hoping to avoid back-to-back losses for the first time this season.