The Denver Nuggets dropped their ninth game of the season on Saturday night, falling 127-126 to the Orlando Magic. Nikola Jokic, who is in the running for his fourth career MVP award, finished with 34 points, 21 rebounds and 12 assists. This brought his season averages to 29.9 points, 12.4 rebounds and 11.1 assists. Those rebounding and assists numbers lead the league.
Jokic was involved in a controversial play during Saturday’s loss when he and Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. got tangled up on a jump-ball with 12 seconds remaining. The play was initially called a foul on Jokic, but was overturned to a foul on Carter once Nuggets head coach David Adelman challenged the play.
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The play remained controversial among fans even after the review, and it landed on the NBA’s Last Two Minute Report where the league announced an official decision on how this incident should have been ruled. According to the report, the initial ruling of a foul on Jokic was incorrect — and the reversed call that ultimately fouled-out Carter was the proper ruling.
“Replay review of the foul called on Jokic (DEN) pursuant to a coach’s challenge was deemed successful,” the NBA announced on Sunday. “The first illegal contact occurs after Carter Jr. (ORL) grabs and holds Jokic’s (DEN) arm, initiating contact that affects his ability to pursue the jump-ball.”
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Jokic went to the line and made two free throws that put Denver ahead 126-125 at the time.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) © Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
This was not the only controversial play in the final seconds of Saturday night’s game. On the final possession with Denver trailing by one, Nuggets guard Jamal Murray attempted a deep two-point jumper for the win. His shot rimmed out, but there was contact before the attempt that the Last Two Minute Report says should have been a foul.
“Black (ORL) extends his arm forward and initiates illegal contact with Murray’s (DEN) wrist, which causes him to lose control of the ball as he rips-through,” the league states.
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As for Black’s contest on Murray’s shot, the league deemed that legal, stating, “Black (ORL) legally contests Murray’s (DEN) jump shot attempt.”
Denver was in the bonus at the time of this foul, so it should have sent Murray to the line for two free throws and a chance to win the game. Instead, the foul went uncalled, and Murray missed the game-winning shot attempt.
The loss dropped Denver to 22-9 which is third-best in the Western Conference. While a lot of the officiating discourse late in Saturday’s game was on the incident between Jokic and Carter, that play was ultimately one the NBA got correct after review. It was the Murray play where fans now have a reason to be upset.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Dec 28, 2025, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.