Imagine a thrilling NBA showdown where a short-handed team battles against the odds to secure a nail-biting victory—this was the Denver Nuggets’ 102-100 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on January 23, 2026. But here’s where it gets controversial: can a team missing key players truly outshine a powerhouse like the Bucks? Let’s dive into the details.
In a game that kept fans on the edge of their seats, Julian Strawther emerged as the unlikely hero, scoring a season-high 20 points for the Nuggets. Despite being without three-time MVP Nikola Jokic—sidelined since December 29 with a left knee bone bruise—Denver built a commanding 23-point lead. Yet, the Bucks, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, refused to go down without a fight. And this is the part most people miss: Antetokounmpo, who had 22 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists, left the game with 34 seconds remaining due to a right calf injury—an eerily familiar setback after missing eight games earlier this season. Similarly, Denver’s Aaron Gordon, who scored 13 points in the first half, exited with a right hamstring strain, adding to the Nuggets’ injury woes.
The fourth quarter was nothing short of dramatic. Trailing 86-63 with 10½ minutes left, Milwaukee stormed back, cutting the deficit to 99-97 on Ryan Rollins’ clutch 3-pointer with 29.3 seconds remaining. Rollins, who scored 15 of his 21 points in the final quarter, nearly single-handedly kept the Bucks in the game. Tim Hardaway Jr. responded with two free throws, making it 101-97, but Rollins struck again with another 3, narrowing the gap to 101-100 with 5.4 seconds left. Jalen Pickett’s split free throws gave Denver a 102-100 lead, and Kyle Kuzma’s last-second heave rimmed out, sealing the Nuggets’ victory.
Here’s the bold question: Did the Bucks’ injuries and absences cost them the game, or did the Nuggets simply outplay them despite their own challenges? Milwaukee was without Kevin Porter Jr. (oblique strain), AJ Green, and Gary Trent Jr. (illnesses), while Denver also missed Jamal Murray (hamstring and hip inflammation), Peyton Watson (ankle sprains), and Jonas Valanciunas (calf strain). Watson’s absence was particularly notable after his 35-point outburst the previous night.
Looking ahead, the Nuggets visit the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday, while the Bucks host the Dallas Mavericks. Both teams will need to regroup quickly, but the bigger question remains: How will these injuries impact their playoff aspirations? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—do you think the Bucks’ struggles are temporary, or is this a deeper issue? And can the Nuggets sustain their success without Jokic and other key players?
