The Philadelphia 76ers returned home to Xfinity Mobile Arena on Monday night, January 5, 2026, riding the momentum of a three-game winning streak and with the Denver Nuggets—hobbled by injuries and fatigue—standing between them and a continued surge up the Eastern Conference standings. With tipoff at 8:30 p.m. ET, broadcast live on Peacock as part of the network’s NBA Monday tripleheader, the stakes were high and the storylines plenty for both squads.
After wrapping up a challenging five-game road trip with three consecutive victories, the 76ers’ record stood at 19-14, good for fifth in the Eastern Conference and just two games behind the second-seeded New York Knicks. Their most recent triumph, a 130-119 win over the Knicks on Saturday, showcased the offensive firepower and growing chemistry that has fans in Philadelphia buzzing. Tyrese Maxey was the star of that contest, pouring in 36 points, grabbing eight rebounds, and dishing out four assists. Joel Embiid and rookie sensation VJ Edgecombe each chipped in 26 points, while Paul George contributed 15 and emphasized the team’s improved cohesion. As George put it after the victory, “The biggest difference is we just feel better as a unit. We trust in the process of this team. It’s safe to say everybody in this locker room is starting to enjoy the game. We’re starting to enjoy being out on that floor, playing on both ends. And I think we’re just jelling.”
With the Sixers seemingly healthy and firing on all cylinders, the Nuggets entered the matchup facing a far different reality. Denver, despite a 23-12 record that placed them fourth in the Western Conference, had dropped four of their last five games, including back-to-back losses to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Brooklyn Nets. The biggest blow? The absence of three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, who hyperextended his left knee on December 29 and is sidelined for at least four weeks. Jokic, the league’s only player averaging a triple-double and sixth in scoring at 29.6 points per game, leaves a massive void for the Nuggets. His backup, Jonas Valanciunas, was also out, further thinning Denver’s frontcourt.
Injuries didn’t stop there for the Nuggets. Starters Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun had both missed significant time this season, only recently returning to limited action. Jamal Murray, the team’s dynamic guard, managed to stay healthy, but the rest of the rotation was battered. Newcomer Cameron Johnson also remained on the injury report. Nuggets coach David Adelman faced Monday’s contest with just nine available players, handing starts to Jalen Pickett (his fourth of the season), DaRon Holmes (third), and Bruce Brown (second). As Adelman candidly admitted, “Having all four out tonight is not ideal, when you have your two centers out as well. But I know the guys that are going to play are ready to play.”
For the 76ers, the recent run of good health—especially after last year’s injury-riddled campaign—has been a game-changer. Joel Embiid, listed as probable for Monday, has been in dominant form over his last seven games, averaging 28.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.1 blocks in 33 minutes per contest. Paul George, while not matching Embiid’s scoring, has found his rhythm and role, shooting an impressive 41.9% from beyond the arc over his last 11 games and making a difference on both ends of the floor.
But it’s the backcourt duo of Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe that’s electrified fans and analysts alike. Maxey, benefiting from his two-man game with Embiid, has been on a tear: averaging 33.0 points and 7.8 assists while shooting a scorching 60.0% from the field and 48.5% from three over the last seven games. His defensive contributions have been just as impressive, with 2.3 steals and 1.0 blocks per game in that stretch. Edgecombe, the fearless 20-year-old rookie, has delivered clutch performances well beyond his years—hitting a game-winner in Memphis, making highlight-reel blocks in Dallas, and excelling under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden. Observers are starting to wonder if the Sixers now boast a bona fide “Big 4.”
Defensively, Philadelphia has been elite, ranking fourth in the NBA in defensive rating over the last 15 games. Offensively, the team has shown serious firepower, posting a 124.1 offensive rating over the previous three games. Coach Nick Nurse, who last season famously juggled an NBA-record 54 unique starting lineups due to injuries, finally has a more stable rotation. Still, the Sixers aren’t at full strength just yet. Kelly Oubre Jr. and Trendon Watford remain out, but both participated in full-court 3-on-3 drills with staff after shootaround Monday and are “doing well,” according to Nurse. “Would expect any day now to get some clearance,” he said. Oubre has missed 21 games since spraining a ligament in his left knee on November 14, while Watford is working his way back from an adductor strain that’s kept him out for 16 games.
The Nuggets, meanwhile, are just trying to weather the storm. Jokic’s absence has forced the team to adapt on the fly, and Denver’s depth has been sorely tested. The loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday night only added to the fatigue, as the Nuggets faced the Sixers on the second night of a back-to-back. With so many regulars sidelined, the matchup against Philadelphia was always going to be an uphill battle.
The betting odds reflected the disparity: BetMGM Sportsbook listed the Sixers as 15.5-point favorites, with a moneyline of -1000 for Philadelphia and +625 for Denver. The total points line was set at 228.5, underscoring the expectation of a high-paced, offensively charged game—particularly with the Sixers’ offense humming and the Nuggets’ defense stretched thin.
As the action tipped off in Philadelphia, the Sixers looked to capitalize on their home-court advantage and keep their hot streak alive. With 11 of their next 16 games at Xfinity Mobile Arena, the schedule sets up favorably for a continued climb up the standings. For the Nuggets, the focus is on survival and hoping their stars can return sooner rather than later.
With the game ongoing and both teams fighting through adversity—one riding a wave of confidence, the other battling through injuries—the NBA spotlight shines bright on Philadelphia. Fans tuning in on Peacock and in the arena are witnessing a team on the rise and a perennial contender trying to hold the line. The outcome remains in the balance, but one thing’s clear: the storylines swirling around this matchup are as compelling as any in the league this season.
