Nuggets Aim to Wrap Up Florida Sweep Against the Magic

The Denver Nuggets are rolling into Orlando on Sunday night, looking to complete a two-game Florida sweep. They took care of business against Miami on Friday and now face an Orlando Magic team that’s been hit hard by injuries and inconsistency.

Jokic Is Doing Jokic Things

Nikola Jokic continues to remind everyone why he’s one of the best players on the planet. After sitting out Wednesday’s loss to Houston, Jokic came back strong against the Heat, dropping his 17th triple-double of the season with 30.4 points, 13.1 rebounds, and 9.9 assists per game this year. And the guy’s doing this while dealing with a sprained right elbow. Casual.

Jamal Murray has been heating up too. He’s been averaging a scorching 32.3 points over the last three games, giving the Nuggets an extra offensive punch. Michael Porter Jr. has been steady as well, chipping in 18.3 points per game.

Then there’s Aaron Gordon, who’s easing his way back into the lineup after missing nine games with a calf strain. The former Magic star isn’t fully unleashed yet, playing limited minutes off the bench, but his presence is still felt. Meanwhile, Russell Westbrook has stepped into the starting lineup, averaging 15.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 7.2 assists over 13 games. Coach Michael Malone hasn’t decided if Russ will stay a starter or move back to his sixth-man role, saying, “We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.”

The Magic Are in a Slump

Orlando may be leading the Southeast Division, but things haven’t been smooth lately. They’ve lost two straight—by 29 points to the Bucks and 27 to the Celtics—and haven’t won back-to-back games since December. After a hot 12-1 run in November, they’ve gone just 8-13.

Injuries have been a major problem. Jalen Suggs (back), Gary Harris (hamstring), and Goga Bitadze (concussion) were all out Friday, and Franz Wagner (oblique) won’t be back for a few more weeks. Even Paolo Banchero, their leading scorer at 26.9 points per game, has only played nine games this season due to injuries. The Magic are missing too many key pieces, and it’s showing in their recent struggles.

Coach Jamahl Mosley is trying to keep things in perspective. “Whether you lose by 20 or lose by two, it still goes in the same column,” he said after Friday’s 121-94 loss to Boston. “You have to take what you can from each game and learn.”

What to Watch For

• Jokic vs. the Magic Defense: With Goga Bitadze out, Orlando’s interior defense will have a tough time slowing down Jokic.
• Murray’s Hot Streak: Jamal Murray has been on fire lately, and his scoring could overwhelm Orlando’s shorthanded roster.
• Banchero’s Leadership: If the Magic want to keep this competitive, Paolo Banchero will need to have a big night and carry the offense.

Bottom Line
The Nuggets come in as the heavy favorites, riding the momentum of five wins in their last six games. Their star power, depth, and form make them a tough matchup for an Orlando team battling injuries and searching for consistency. For the Magic, this game is a chance to regroup and prove they can hang with one of the league’s best teams. For Aaron Gordon, it’s a return to the place where his NBA journey started—a reminder of how far he’s come.