Jalen Pickett credited the Denver Nuggets with a team effort after a 125-124 overtime win against the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday at Xfinity Mobile Arena. “We felt like we didn’t play well last game and we had to come out tonight with a lot of energy and effort… anything could happen,” Pickett said.
The Nuggets were missing several starters, including Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, but Pickett embraced his role as a leader. “With all our starters out, we needed a leader. So they’re looking to me, Bruce and Peyton to kind of lead us in this game,” he said.
Pickett delivered 29 points and a career-high seven assists in 42 minutes, helping Denver keep the pace despite the shortened rotation. “We came out and we knew it was going to start on the defensive end. So when you come out and play with that effort and get easy baskets in transition, it just builds confidence,” he added.
The guard highlighted the collective energy that fueled Denver’s comeback. “If we come in with that mentality and just try to steal a game, anything can happen,” he noted. Pickett’s leadership led the Nuggets through multiple lead changes in the fourth quarter and overtime.
Bruce Brown added 19 points and scored the decisive basket in overtime, which Joel Embiid ruled goaltending. Peyton Watson contributed 24 points and seven rebounds as Denver shot 53 percent overall and 49 percent from three.
Despite Joel Embiid’s 32 points and Tyrese Maxey’s 28 points, the 76ers couldn’t close out the game. Pickett’s poise and consistent decision-making under pressure were key to Denver’s narrow victory.
Denver travels to Boston on Wednesday, while Philadelphia remains home to Washington.
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