The Sixers went 2 for 2 Monday with a 123-104 win over the Nuggets and a solid return by Markelle Fultz.
Their 43rd victory of the season was really a side note in Fultz’s first game since Oct. 23 because of a right shoulder injury.
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The 2017 No. 1 pick scored 10 points (5 for 13 from the field), dished eight assists and grabbed four rebounds over 14 minutes backing up Ben Simmons off the bench.
Fultz demonstrated the driving skills he had shown in numerous videos throughout his injury. Getting to the basket hadn’t been in question, though — it was always about refinding his shot.
Fultz showed confidence to take jumpers — and make them. The fact he attempted them so frequently after his shot had been intensely scrutinized for months was a good sign for the Sixers. He did not take any threes.
Here’s a breakdown of his shots:
• The Sixers improved to 43-30 in their first game since clinching a playoff berth. Their goal remains home-court advantage, understandably so with the volume inside the Wells Fargo Center for Fultz’s return.
• The Sixers outscored the Nuggets 34-15 in the third quarter to take over the game and build a lead of 24 points.
• Joel Embiid and Dario Saric led the Sixers with 20 points apiece. Embiid added 13 rebounds. Seven players, including Fultz, Marco Belinelli and Ersan Ilyasova off the bench, scored in double digits.