Nuggets Rout Short-Handed 76ers With Dominant First Half

Denver scores 72 points in the first half to cruise to a 124-96 victory over Philadelphia.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 11:35am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Denver Nuggets scored 72 points in the first half and never trailed on their way to a 124-96 rout of the short-handed Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night. Christian Braun led the Nuggets with 22 points, while Cameron Johnson added 18. Denver played without several key players, including Joel Embiid, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Tyrese Maxey, allowing the Nuggets to take control early and cruise to the victory.

Why it matters

The win keeps the Nuggets in the hunt for a top-4 seed in the Western Conference playoff race, as they are tied for fourth place. Meanwhile, the loss is a setback for the 76ers, who are trying to hold onto a top-10 spot in the Eastern Conference.

The details

The Nuggets jumped out to a 38-22 lead after the first quarter and then extended it to a 72-40 halftime advantage. Denver shot 56.8% from the field and 52.9% from 3-point range in the first half. The 76ers were led by MarJon Beauchamp's 16 points, but they struggled without their injured stars. The Nuggets maintained a comfortable lead throughout the second half to secure the victory.

  • The Nuggets led 38-22 at the end of the first quarter.
  • Denver took a 72-40 lead into halftime.

The players

Christian Braun

A Nuggets player who scored a team-high 22 points in the game.

Cameron Johnson

A Nuggets player who scored 18 points in the victory.

Joel Embiid

The 76ers' star center who missed the game due to an oblique strain.

MarJon Beauchamp

A 76ers player who led the team with 16 points in the loss.

Nikola Jokic

The Nuggets' star center who had 14 assists in the game.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

This game showcased the Nuggets' offensive firepower, as they were able to dominate the short-handed 76ers from the opening tip. Denver's win keeps them in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race, while Philadelphia's loss is a setback in their quest to secure a top-10 seed in the East.