Two seasons ago, the Magic traveled to Denver with only nine players available because of various injuries to key players.

At the time, it took a 32-point triple-double from Paolo Banchero and help from reserves off the bench in order for Orlando to pull off the unthinkable: Capture a 2-point win over MVP Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets.

Jamahl Mosley‘s squad found itself in a familiar spot Thursday night when it stepped on the court without Jalen Suggs (left hip bruise), Franz Wagner (left high ankle sprain), Tristan da Silva (right shoulder bruise), Jonathan Isaac (left hip bruise) and Moe Wagner (left knee injury recovery).

This time, however, Orlando was overwhelmed by the likes of Jokic (23 points), Jamal Murray (game-high 32) and Cam Johnson (19) when the Nuggets handled the undermanned Magic 126-115 at Ball Arena despite Banchero’s third-career triple-double (26 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists).

Although the Magic led by as many as 14 points in the first half, the Nuggets used a 35-7 run across the final six minutes of the second quarter to take control and never look back.

Denver improved to 14-5 this season when leading at the break. Jokic recorded his own triple-double when he added 11 rebounds and 13 assists.

Despite the Magic notching 23 points off 15 takeaways, the Nuggets (20-6) shot 44% (16 for 36) from beyond the arc, including seven triples from Murray.

The Magic (15-12) look to get healthier when they continue their four-game road trip Saturday at Utah.

Starting 5

Anthony Black and Tyus Jones joined Paolo Banchero, Desmond Bane and Wendell Carter Jr. in Orlando’s starting lineup against Denver.

Black, who shot 2 for 3 from beyond the arc in the first quarter, was the lone member of the Magic in double figures by halftime. After notching 14 points in the first half, he ended with 22 and 3 turnovers.

Banchero played the entire second quarter and shot 1 for 6 from the floor in the frame, which led to him only posting 8 points in the first half. The Magic forward got going when he notched 8 in the third and added 10 in the fourth to record the 37th triple-double in franchise record.

Although Wendell Carter Jr. hit his first 3 of the evening, the Magic center found himself in foul trouble early when he picked up his third foul with 3:46 left in the second quarter. That didn’t slow him down when he shot 6 for 7 from the floor in the third quarter, posting half his points (13) in the frame.

Carter was responsible for 4 of Orlando’s 11 made triples. Although he shot 4 for 7 from distance, the team overall shot 33% (11 for 33).

Second unit

After da Silva and Isaac were ruled out in the hours leading up to tip-off, Orlando was left with four reserves: Jett Howard, Goga Bitadze and rookies Jase Richardson and Noah Penda.

The Magic did their best to take advantage when Jokic went to the bench and that included sharpshooting from Howard, who back-to-back 3s early in the second quarter. Howard’s second assist, an alley-oop lob to Black, brought Orlando within 6 points with 1:32 left in the game.

Bitadze had success on defense early with a steal-and-slam late in the opening frame and 2 blocks but ended with just 6 points in 19 minutes.

Rookie watch

Both Richardson and Penda checked into the game during the first frame due to the injuries in front of them on the depth chart.

Richardson showed flashes with a steal and slam in the second quarter and later hit a transition 3-pointer. The No. 25 pick ended with 9 points, 2 assists and 2 turnovers in 19 minutes.

Penda scored his lone points of the night when he hit a catch-and-shoot 3 from the left wing off an assist from Richardson. The French forward added 5 rebounds in 12 minutes.

Jason Beede can be reached at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com