Nuggets Rout Short-Handed 76ers 124-96

Christian Braun scores 22 points as Denver cruises past injury-plagued Philadelphia

Mar. 18, 2026 at 10:34am

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The Denver Nuggets routed the injury-plagued Philadelphia 76ers 124-96 on Tuesday night. Christian Braun led the Nuggets with 22 points, while Nikola Jokic finished with 14 assists. The 76ers were without several key players, including Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Kelly Oubre Jr. The Nuggets jumped out to a big lead early and never looked back, holding the 76ers to just 40 points in the first half.

Why it matters

The win keeps the Nuggets in the tight Western Conference playoff race, as they look to maintain their position in the standings. The 76ers, meanwhile, have struggled with injuries and are trying to stay afloat in the Eastern Conference.

The details

The Nuggets dominated from the start, jumping out to a 16-point lead after the first quarter and extending it to a 33-point advantage by halftime. Christian Braun led the way for Denver with 22 points, while Nikola Jokic dished out 14 assists. The 76ers were missing several key players, including Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Kelly Oubre Jr., which proved to be too much for them to overcome.

  • The game took place on Tuesday, March 18, 2026.

The players

Christian Braun

A forward for the Denver Nuggets who scored 22 points in the game.

Nikola Jokic

The star center for the Denver Nuggets who finished with 14 assists.

Joel Embiid

The star center for the Philadelphia 76ers who missed the game due to a right oblique strain.

Tyrese Maxey

A guard for the Philadelphia 76ers who missed the game due to a sprained finger.

Kelly Oubre Jr.

A forward for the Philadelphia 76ers who missed the game due to a left elbow strain.

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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

The Nuggets' dominant win over the short-handed 76ers keeps them in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race, while the 76ers' injury troubles continue to hamper their efforts to maintain their position in the East.