Nuggets Aim to Sweep Injury-Plagued Sixers

Denver looks to solidify Western Conference playoff position against shorthanded Philadelphia squad.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 7:49am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Denver Nuggets, led by MVP candidate Nikola Jokic, will host the injury-depleted Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night as they seek to complete a season sweep. The Nuggets pulled off an overtime win against the Sixers in their first matchup, and they'll look to capitalize on Philadelphia's absences of stars Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Kelly Oubre Jr. Denver is chasing a top-3 seed in the West, while the Sixers will rely on role players like Quentin Grimes and Andre Drummond to keep the game close.

Why it matters

This game is crucial for the Nuggets' playoff positioning, as they aim to secure a top-3 seed in the highly competitive Western Conference. A win would give them the season sweep over the Sixers and provide momentum as they play 10 of their final 14 games at home. For the shorthanded Sixers, this is an opportunity to prove their depth and resilience against one of the West's elite teams.

The details

The Nuggets pulled out an overtime win against the Sixers in their first meeting on January 5th, despite missing several key players. This time, Denver will have its full starting lineup available, except for reserve Peyton Watson. The Sixers, on the other hand, will be without four of their top five scorers, including Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Kelly Oubre Jr. Andre Drummond is expected to play a significant role for Philadelphia, providing a physical presence to match up against Jokic.

  • The Nuggets and Sixers first met on January 5th, with Denver winning in overtime.
  • This rematch will take place on Tuesday, March 17th, 2026.

The players

Nikola Jokic

The reigning NBA MVP, Jokic leads the league in rebounding and assists and is the centerpiece of the Nuggets' offense.

Joel Embiid

The Sixers' star center, Embiid is sidelined with an oblique injury and has not yet been given a return date.

Andre Drummond

The veteran big man for the Sixers, Drummond is expected to play a crucial role in providing size and physicality against Jokic.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We definitely missed his presence the last couple games when he was out. You can see how much he impacts the game rebounding-wise and defensively.”

— Quentin Grimes, Sixers Guard (statenews.net)

“I can't remember a night like this from him. So this is not a normal thing, as everybody knows. So he'll bounce back.”

— David Adelman, Nuggets Head Coach (statenews.net)

What’s next

The Nuggets will look to capitalize on the Sixers' injuries and secure a season sweep, which could provide a valuable tiebreaker if the teams meet in the playoffs. Philadelphia will hope to get healthier in the coming weeks and prove their depth against one of the West's top teams.

The takeaway

This game showcases the stark contrast between the Nuggets' healthy roster and the Sixers' injury-plagued lineup. Denver's quest for a top-3 seed in the West could be boosted by a win, while Philadelphia will rely on role players to keep the game close and potentially pull off an upset.