Game ID: 22400730
Orlando Magic @ Denver Nuggets
Thursday, February 6, 2025 at 9:00 PM ET
Ball Arena, Denver, CO
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
DEN 25 34 33 20 112ORL 26 24 17 23 90
DEN vs ORL ScoutingDEN vs ORL Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
DEN availability going into 1/31 · 1 day's restOUT Šarić missed 7 since 1/17, out tonight
OUT Pickett missed 2 since 1/27, out tonight
OUT Nnaji missed 2 since 1/27, out tonight
DEN availability going into 2/01 · back-to-backOUT Šarić missed 8 since 1/17, out tonight
OUT Pickett missed 3 since 1/27, returns tonight: 15 min (117% of 13)
OUT Nnaji missed 3 since 1/27, returns tonight: 22 min (218% of 10)
DEN availability going into 2/03 · 1 day's restOUT Šarić missed 9 since 1/17, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 2 since 1/31, returns tonight: 12 min (103% of 12)
BACK Pickett back 2/01 after 3, 15 min since (117% of 13)
BACK Nnaji back 2/01 after 3, 22 min since (218% of 10)
DEN availability going into 2/05 · 1 day's restOUT Westbrook missed 2 since 2/01, out tonight
OUT Watson missed 2 since 2/01, out tonight
OUT Šarić missed 10 since 1/17, out tonight
BACK Pickett back 2/01 after 3, 14 min since (108% of 13)
BACK Jordan back 2/03 after 2, 12 min since (103% of 12)
BACK Nnaji back 2/01 after 3, 27 min since (262% of 10)
DEN availability going into 2/06 · back-to-backOUT Westbrook missed 3 since 2/01, out tonight
OUT Watson missed 3 since 2/01, out tonight
OUT Šarić missed 11 since 1/17, out tonight
BACK Pickett back 2/01 after 3, 13 min since (104% of 13)
BACK Jordan back 2/03 after 2, 11 min since (96% of 12)
BACK Nnaji back 2/01 after 3, 21 min since (205% of 10)
DEN availability going into 2/08 · 1 day's restOUT Westbrook missed 4 since 2/01, out tonight
OUT Watson missed 4 since 2/01, out tonight
OUT Šarić missed 12 since 1/17, out tonight
BACK Pickett back 2/01 after 3, 18 min since (139% of 13)
BACK Jordan back 2/03 after 2, 11 min since (99% of 12)
BACK Nnaji back 2/01 after 3, 21 min since (204% of 10)
DEN availability going into 2/10 · 1 day's restOUT Westbrook missed 5 since 2/01, out tonight
OUT Watson missed 5 since 2/01, out tonight
OUT Šarić missed 13 since 1/17, out tonight
BACK Pickett back 2/01 after 3, 18 min since (139% of 13)
BACK Jordan back 2/03 after 2, 13 min since (110% of 12)
BACK Nnaji back 2/01 after 3, 21 min since (204% of 10)
NEW Strawther 20 to 28 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 2/12 · 1 day's restOUT Porter Jr. missed 2 since 2/08, out tonight
OUT Westbrook missed 6 since 2/01, out tonight
OUT Watson missed 6 since 2/01, out tonight
OUT Šarić missed 14 since 1/17, returns tonight: 8 min (58% of 13)
BACK Jordan back 2/03 after 2, 13 min since (111% of 12)
NEW Strawther 20 to 30 min over the last 5
NEW Pickett 13 to 20 min over the last 5
NEW Nnaji 10 to 20 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 2/20 · 7 days' restOUT Porter Jr. missed 3 since 2/08, returns tonight: 29 min (87% of 33)
OUT Westbrook missed 7 since 2/01, returns tonight: 26 min (94% of 27)
OUT Watson missed 7 since 2/01, out tonight
BACK Šarić back 2/12 after 14, 8 min since (58% of 13)
NEW Strawther 20 to 31 min over the last 5
NEW Pickett 13 to 24 min over the last 5
NEW Nnaji 10 to 21 min over the last 5
ORL availability going into 1/30 · 2 days' restOUT Harris missed 13 since 1/03, returns tonight: 13 min (89% of 15)
OUT Joseph missed 2 since 1/25, out tonight
OUT Houstan missed 2 since 1/25, returns tonight: 5 min (36% of 13)
BACK Wagner back 1/23 after 20, 31 min since (92% of 34)
BACK Suggs back 1/25 after 10, 16 min since (55% of 29)
BACK Bitadze back 1/27 after 6, 22 min since (114% of 20)
BACK Anthony back 1/25 after 2, 18 min since (103% of 18)
BACK Howard back 1/23 after 5, 9 min since (76% of 12)
NEW Caldwell-Pope 30 to 36 min over the last 5
NEW Black 24 to 31 min over the last 5
NEW da Silva 22 to 32 min over the last 5
ORL availability going into 2/01 · 1 day's restOUT Suggs missed 2 since 1/27, not on tonight's roster
OUT Joseph missed 3 since 1/25, out tonight
BACK Wagner back 1/23 after 20, 31 min since (92% of 34)
BACK Bitadze back 1/27 after 6, 20 min since (102% of 20)
BACK Anthony back 1/25 after 2, 20 min since (113% of 18)
BACK Harris back 1/30 after 13, 13 min since (89% of 15)
BACK Houstan back 1/30 after 2, 5 min since (36% of 13)
BACK Howard back 1/23 after 5, 7 min since (64% of 12)
NEW Black 24 to 30 min over the last 5
NEW da Silva 22 to 29 min over the last 5
ORL availability going into 2/03 · 1 day's restOUT Joseph missed 4 since 1/25, out tonight
BACK Wagner back 1/23 after 20, 32 min since (94% of 34)
BACK Suggs back 1/25 after 10, 16 min since (55% of 29)
BACK Bitadze back 1/27 after 6, 19 min since (95% of 20)
BACK Anthony back 1/25 after 2, 22 min since (122% of 18)
BACK Harris back 1/30 after 13, 15 min since (97% of 15)
BACK Houstan back 1/30 after 2, 5 min since (36% of 13)
BACK Howard back 1/23 after 5, 10 min since (90% of 12)
NEW da Silva 22 to 27 min over the last 5
ORL availability going into 2/05 · 1 day's restOUT Queen missed 2 since 2/01, returns tonight: 7 min (51% of 14)
OUT Joseph missed 5 since 1/25, returns tonight: 5 min (36% of 13)
OUT Houstan missed 2 since 2/01, returns tonight: 7 min (53% of 13)
BACK Suggs back 1/25 after 10, 16 min since (55% of 29)
BACK Bitadze back 1/27 after 6, 19 min since (97% of 20)
BACK Anthony back 1/25 after 2, 23 min since (130% of 18)
BACK Harris back 1/30 after 13, 14 min since (97% of 15)
ORL availability going into 2/06 · back-to-backBACK Bitadze back 1/27 after 6, 20 min since (100% of 20)
BACK Harris back 1/30 after 13, 15 min since (97% of 15)
BACK Queen back 2/05 after 2, 7 min since (51% of 14)
BACK Joseph back 2/05 after 5, 5 min since (36% of 13)
BACK Houstan back 1/30 after 2, 6 min since (44% of 13)
NEW Anthony 18 to 24 min over the last 5
ORL availability going into 2/08 · 1 day's restBACK Harris back 1/30 after 13, 15 min since (97% of 15)
BACK Queen back 2/05 after 2, 9 min since (66% of 14)
BACK Joseph back 2/05 after 5, 5 min since (36% of 13)
BACK Houstan back 1/30 after 2, 6 min since (48% of 13)
NEW Anthony 18 to 25 min over the last 5
ORL availability going into 2/10 · 1 day's restOUT Joseph missed 2 since 2/06, out tonight
BACK Queen back 2/05 after 2, 9 min since (66% of 14)
BACK Houstan back 2/05 after 2, 7 min since (55% of 13)
NEW Anthony 18 to 24 min over the last 5
ORL availability going into 2/12 · 1 day's restOUT Queen missed 2 since 2/08, returns tonight: 10 min (73% of 14)
OUT Joseph missed 3 since 2/06, returns tonight: 3 min (19% of 13)
OUT Houstan missed 2 since 2/08, returns tonight: 12 min (90% of 13)
OUT Howard missed 2 since 2/08, returns tonight: 26 min (222% of 12)
ORL availability going into 2/20 · 7 days' restBACK Queen back 2/05 after 2, 9 min since (68% of 14)
BACK Joseph back 2/05 after 5, 4 min since (28% of 13)
BACK Houstan back 2/05 after 2, 9 min since (66% of 13)
BACK Howard back 2/12 after 2, 26 min since (222% of 12)
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 118, shooting 54 percent and 35 from three, 20 free throws a game; Jokić at 28 and Porter Jr. at 25 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Westbrook (3 straight), Watson (3 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Orlando comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 114, shooting 44 percent and 31 from three, 21 free throws a game; Wagner at 28 and Banchero at 18 a game. Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Denver has been plus-6 a night and Orlando minus-1. Call it Denver 118, Orlando 110.
1/31 @ PHI 137-134 — DEN notes
DEN won 137-134. DEN shot 66% (54 of 82) to PHI's 56%, 12 of 23 from three. DEN turned it over 19 times to PHI's 11, and PHI turned those into 12 steals. Murray led with 31 (12 of 22, 0 of 4 from three, 7 of 7 at the line); Jokić added 28, Porter Jr. 24. The hinge was Q1, 38-36: from level to 2 ahead. Gordon was the night's best plus/minus at +14.
2/01 @ CHA 107-104 — DEN notes
DEN won 107-104. DEN shot 47% (41 of 88) to CHA's 43%, 7 of 37 from three. Jokić led with 28 (9 of 17, 2 of 7 from three, 8 of 9 at the line); Braun added 24, Murray 20. The hinge was Q1, 27-20: from level to 7 ahead, and the lead reached 17. Gordon was the night's best plus/minus at +21.
2/03 vs NOP 125-113 — DEN notes
DEN won 125-113. DEN shot 50% (46 of 92) to NOP's 43%, 12 of 33 from three. DEN turned it over 5 times to NOP's 10. Porter Jr. led with 36 (12 of 22, 7 of 12 from three); Jokić added 27, Murray 20. The hinge was Q1, 33-23: from level to 10 ahead, and the lead reached 20. Porter Jr. was the night's best plus/minus at +20.
2/05 vs NOP 144-119 — DEN notes
DEN won 144-119. DEN shot 57% (57 of 100) to NOP's 46%, 16 of 43 from three, and got to the line 15 times to NOP's 26. The glass went 51-38 for them. Porter Jr. led with 39 (16 of 23, 5 of 9 from three); Jokić added 38, Braun 23. The hinge was Q3, 45-27: from level to 18 ahead, and the lead reached 27. Jokić was the night's best plus/minus at +24.
2/06 vs ORL 112-90 — DEN notes
DEN won 112-90. DEN shot 53% (44 of 83) to ORL's 37%, 12 of 30 from three, and got to the line 21 times to ORL's 30. DEN turned it over 18 times to ORL's 13, and ORL turned those into 10 steals. The glass went 52-40 for them. Porter Jr. led with 30 (11 of 16, 5 of 8 from three); Jokić added 28, Braun 16. The hinge was Q3, 33-17: a lead of 9 became 25, and the lead reached 33. Braun was the night's best plus/minus at +30.
2/08 @ PHX — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Phoenix comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 124, shooting 48 percent and 39 from three, 25 free throws a game; Booker at 34 and Durant at 23 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Durant (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Denver comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 112, shooting 54 percent and 36 from three, 20 free throws a game; Jokić at 30 and Porter Jr. at 29 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Westbrook (4 straight), Watson (4 straight). One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Denver has been plus-6 a night and Phoenix minus-7 and the defense, Denver allowing 112 a night to Phoenix's 124. Call it Denver 121, Phoenix 116.
2/10 vs POR — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 106, shooting 51 percent and 35 from three, 20 free throws a game; Porter Jr. at 30 and Jokić at 29 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Westbrook (5 straight), Watson (5 straight). One day's rest. Portland comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 106, shooting 45 percent and 34 from three, 24 free throws a game; Simons at 20 and Ayton at 16 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Thybulle (53 straight). One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, Portland giving it away 14 times a game to Denver's 10. Call it Denver 117, Portland 110.
2/12 vs POR — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 130 a night and allowing 109, shooting 55 percent and 39 from three, 20 free throws a game; Porter Jr. at 35 and Jokić at 32 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 10 a night. Without Porter Jr. (2 straight), Westbrook (6 straight), Watson (6 straight). One day's rest. Portland comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 114, shooting 44 percent and 36 from three, 23 free throws a game; Simons at 21 and Grant at 15 a game. Without Thybulle (54 straight). One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, Portland giving it away 15 times a game to Denver's 9 and the glass, where Denver has been plus-10 a night and Portland plus-3. Call it Denver 121, Portland 110, Denver by 11.
2/20 vs CHA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 131 a night and allowing 110, shooting 55 percent and 39 from three, 19 free throws a game; Jokić at 32 and Murray at 28 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 9 a night. Without Porter Jr. (3 straight), Westbrook (7 straight), Watson (7 straight). 7 days' rest. Charlotte comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 99 a night and allowing 105, shooting 41 percent and 36 from three, 18 free throws a game; Bridges at 22 and Ball at 19 a game. Without Gra. Williams (37 straight), Simpson (2 straight), Okogie (8 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Denver has been plus-9 a night and Charlotte minus-3 and the turnovers, Charlotte giving it away 14 times a game to Denver's 11. Call it Denver 119, Charlotte 106, Denver by 13.
1/30 @ POR 90-119 — ORL notes
ORL lost 90-119. ORL shot 42% (34 of 81) to POR's 53%, 5 of 26 from three, and got to the line 20 times to POR's 31. Wagner led with 24 (8 of 17, 1 of 5 from three, 7 of 8 at the line); Banchero added 21, Anthony 16. Q1 was theirs, 35-28, but the other 3 periods went 91-55 against them. They led by as many as 10. Caldwell-Pope's -25 in 24 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/01 @ UTA 99-113 — ORL notes
ORL lost 99-113. ORL shot 33% (30 of 91) to UTA's 46%, 9 of 41 from three, and went to the line 35 times to UTA's 24 — 30 points from the stripe to their 21. ORL turned it over 8 times to UTA's 16. Wagner led with 37 (8 of 21, 3 of 11 from three, 18 of 20 at the line); Anthony added 23. Q4 was theirs, 30-28, the deficit cut from 16 to 14, but the other 3 periods went 85-69 against them. Black's -18 in 32 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/03 @ GSW 99-104 — ORL notes
ORL lost 99-104. ORL took 21 more shots (99 to 78), fed by 18 offensive rebounds, but shot 43% to GSW's 44%, 8 of 32 from three, and got to the line just 10 times against 26 fouls committed. Anthony led with 26 (11 of 21, 3 of 9 from three); Wagner added 21, Banchero 18. Q4 was theirs, 32-22, the deficit cut from 15 to 5, but the other 3 periods went 82-67 against them. They led by as many as 11. Banchero's -24 in 37 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/05 @ SAC 130-111 — ORL notes
ORL won 130-111. ORL shot 57% (50 of 88) to SAC's 50%, 16 of 31 from three, and got to the line 15 times to SAC's 28. ORL turned it over 8 times to SAC's 17. Wagner led with 31 (12 of 22, 5 of 6 from three); Banchero added 23, Black 15. The hinge was Q3, 42-23: a lead of 2 became 21, and the lead reached 30. Wagner was the night's best plus/minus at +29.
2/06 @ DEN 90-112 — ORL notes
ORL lost 90-112. ORL shot 37% (31 of 84) to DEN's 53%, 5 of 31 from three, and went to the line 30 times to DEN's 21 — 23 points from the stripe to their 12. ORL turned it over 13 times to DEN's 18. The glass went 40-52 against them. Carter Jr. led with 19 (7 of 9, 1 of 3 from three); Banchero added 18, Wagner 14. Q4 was theirs, 23-20, the deficit cut from 25 to 22, but the other 3 periods went 92-67 against them. Carter Jr.'s -25 in 26 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/08 vs SAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Orlando comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 102 a night and allowing 112, shooting 42 percent and 27 from three, 22 free throws a game; Wagner at 25 and Banchero at 18 a game. One day's rest. San Antonio comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 119, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 21 free throws a game; Wembanyama at 24 and Castle at 19 a game. Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Orlando wins, and the game turns on the arc, San Antonio at 36 percent from three to Orlando's 27 and the defense, Orlando allowing 112 a night to San Antonio's 119. Call it Orlando 112, San Antonio 110, San Antonio keeping it close.
2/10 vs ATL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Orlando comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 110, shooting 44 percent and 29 from three, 22 free throws a game; Wagner at 27 and Banchero at 17 a game. One day's rest. Atlanta comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 122, shooting 50 percent and 39 from three, 25 free throws a game; Young at 32 and Daniels at 17 a game. Without Johnson (9 straight), Capela (7 straight). One day's rest.
So: Orlando wins, and the game turns on the arc, Atlanta at 39 percent from three to Orlando's 29 and the defense, Orlando allowing 110 a night to Atlanta's 122. Call it Orlando 114, Atlanta 113, Atlanta keeping it close.
2/12 vs CHA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Orlando comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 110, shooting 47 percent and 33 from three, 20 free throws a game; Wagner at 27 and Banchero at 21 a game. One day's rest. Charlotte comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 112, shooting 44 percent and 37 from three, 21 free throws a game; Bridges at 20 and Smith Jr. at 20 a game. Without Gra. Williams (35 straight), Mar. Williams (3 straight), Okogie (6 straight). One day's rest.
So: Orlando wins, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it Orlando 110, Charlotte 106, Charlotte keeping it close.
2/20 @ ATL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Atlanta comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 120, shooting 50 percent and 38 from three, 23 free throws a game; Young at 30 and Okongwu at 16 a game. Without Johnson (11 straight), Capela (9 straight), Mathews (3 straight). 7 days' rest. Orlando comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 106, shooting 47 percent and 35 from three, 22 free throws a game; Wagner at 26 and Banchero at 23 a game. 7 days' rest.
So: Atlanta wins, and the game turns on the defense, Orlando allowing 106 a night to Atlanta's 120. Call it Atlanta 115, Orlando 111, Orlando keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
DENAG A. Gordon
CB C. Braun
DJ D. Jordan
HT H. Tyson
JP J. Pickett
JS J. Strawther
JO Jokic
MP M. Porter Jr.
NJ N. Jokić
PH P. Hall
SJ S. Jones
TA T. Alexander
ZN Z. Nnaji
ORLAB A. Black
CA C. Anthony
CH C. Houstan
FW F. Wagner
GB G. Bitadze
JH J. Howard
JI J. Isaac
KC K. Caldwell-Pope
PB P. Banchero
TQ T. Queen
TD T. da Silva
WC W. Carter Jr.
DEN/ORL the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Nikola Jokic has 24th triple-double of the season, Nuggets rout Magic 112-90
DENVER -- — Nikola Jokic had 28 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds for his 24th triple-double of the season, Michael Porter Jr . added 30 points and the Denver Nuggets won their fifth in a row by beating the Orlando Magic 112-90 on Thursday night.
Christian Braun finished with 16 points for a Nuggets team that saw the trade deadline come and go without making a move . The Nuggets had the game so well in hand that Jokic didn't play in the fourth quarter.
Porter turned in another electric offensive performance by hitting 11 of 16 shots, including five 3-pointers. It's his third straight game with 30 or more points.
Wendell Carter Jr . led the Magic with 19 points, and Paolo Banchero added 18. Orlando was outscored 33-17 in the third quarter.
Both teams played the night before. The Nuggets routed New Orleans 144-119 at home while the Magic beat Sacramento 130-111.
Takeaways Magic: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope received an ovation and a video tribute in his return to Denver. Caldwell-Pope spent two seasons with the Nuggets, helping them to the 2023 NBA title, before leaving for Orlando last summer. He had seven points.
Nuggets: Julian Strawther made his first NBA start and had two points on 1 of 8 shooting. He was starting in place of Jamal Murray , who had inflammation in his left knee. Peyton Watson (knee) and Russell Westbrook (hamstring) also were sidelined.
Key moment Jokic showed off his passing exploits in the third quarter with a back-to-the-basket, over-his-head pass to Aaron Gordon for a dunk.
Key stat Denver is 10-1 n the second night of a back-to-back.
Up next Both teams play Saturday. The Magic host San Antonio, and the Nuggets are at Phoenix.