Nuggets Survive Raptors’ Late Push in 106-103 Win

The Denver Nuggets narrowly escaped with a 106-103 victory over the Toronto Raptors on January 1, 2026, but the win wasn’t without controversy.A potential game-tying shot by Brandon Ingram was ruled no good upon review, sparking debate among fans and analysts.

The game remained tight throughout,with both teams trading leads. denver’s Nikola Jokic dominated inside, finishing with 32 points and 15 rebounds. Jamal Murray added 24 points,providing crucial support from the perimeter. however, Toronto refused to go away, fueled by a strong performance from Scottie barnes, who tallied 28 points and 10 assists.

The critical moment arrived in the final seconds. Trailing by three, Ingram drove to the basket and released a shot as the buzzer sounded. Initially, the shot appeared to be good, sending the game to overtime. But after a lengthy review by officials, the basket was waved off, citing a slight push-off violation. The call was met with immediate criticism, with many arguing that the contact was minimal and incidental.

“It’s a tough call,” said Nuggets coach Michael Malone after the game. “You hate to see a game decided like that, but we have to focus on what we can control. Our guys fought hard,and we made enough plays to get the win.”

raptors coach Darko Rajaković expressed his disagreement with the ruling. “I thoght it was a clean play. Brandon was just trying to create space, and I don’t believe there was enough contact to warrant overturning the call.”

the loss is a tough blow for Toronto,who are currently battling for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference. Denver,meanwhile,continues to solidify its status as a championship contender in the West. This game will undoubtedly be remembered for the controversial finish, but it also highlighted the competitive spirit and high stakes of the NBA.

Key Stats:

• Denver Nuggets: Nikola Jokic (32 points, 15 rebounds), Jamal Murray (24 points)
• Toronto Raptors: Scottie Barnes (28 points, 10 assists), Brandon Ingram (22 points)

You can find more information about the NBA season and team standings on the official NBA website.