In a thrilling encounter on January 11, 2026, the Denver Nuggets triumphed over the Milwaukee Bucks with a score of 108-104. This victory was particularly impressive given the injury woes plaguing the Nuggets. Tim Hardaway Jr. led the charge for Denver with an impressive performance, contributing 25 points to the team's total. Aaron Gordon also played a crucial role, adding 23 points to secure the win.
Peyton Watson shone brightly as well, recording 19 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, showcasing his growth as a player. Over the last seven games, the fourth-year guard has been phenomenal, averaging 23.7 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, making him a key player for the Nuggets. Zeke Nnaji rounded out the standout performances with his first double-double of the season, scoring 14 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.
Despite their strong showing, the Nuggets were missing five of their top eight scorers, including superstars Nikola Jokic, who is sidelined due to a bone bruise in his left knee, and Jamal Murray, who is recovering from a sprained left ankle. The absence of these critical players has been felt deeply, as this group averages an impressive 84.6 points per game this season.
On the other side of the court, Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered a stellar individual performance for the Bucks, racking up 31 points, along with 11 assists and eight rebounds. Myles Turner provided valuable support with 16 points, while Bobby Portis and AJ Green each chipped in with 14 points. However, Ryan Rollins struggled, scoring only two points and ending a remarkable streak of 37 consecutive games with at least ten points.
Denver's recent form has been shaky, having lost five of their last eight games after a strong start of 22-8, which included a tough stretch of 3-4 since Jokic’s injury. The Bucks, however, have shown resilience, entering this game with a 5-2 record in their past seven matches after a rocky beginning to their season at 12-19.
The game was tense throughout, with the Bucks trailing by 15 points in the first half and by 11 heading into the fourth quarter. They managed to close the gap to 105-102 but failed to capitalize on two crucial three-point opportunities in the final moments, courtesy of Rollins and Green. Gordon, who was the only regular starter available for the Nuggets, stepped up under pressure, hitting three free throws in the last nine seconds to secure the win for Denver.
Looking ahead, the Nuggets will face the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night, while the Bucks are set to host the Minnesota Timberwolves also on Tuesday.
