Denver, Colorado - The Brooklyn Nets' losing skid extended to eight games as the NBA's reigning MVP, Nikola Jokić, recorded a league-high 14th triple-double in the Denver Nuggets' 124-104 win on Sunday.

Jokić finished with 27 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists, including scoring 23 points in the second and third quarters when the Nuggets reversed a deficit into a 21-point lead.

Brooklyn were without James Harden for the second straight game due to hamstring tightness, with Kyrie Irving scoring 27 points and adding 11 assists.

The Nets, who are also playing without the injured Kevin Durant and LaMarcus Aldridge, have surpassed their longest losing streak set in late 2019 and early 2020, when they lost seven in a row.

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Brooklyn are 29-24 and have dropped to seventh in the Eastern Conference.

The one consolation for Nets fans was coach Steve Nash strong denial of rumors that Harden would be traded to the Sixers before Thursday's deadline.

The Milwaukee Bucks won their third straight to improve to third in the east with a 34-21 record after a 137-113 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. Giannis Antetokounmpo had 28 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists while Jrue Holiday added 27 points and 13 assists. Bobby Portis also had a double-double with 24 points and 11 rebounds.

Joel Embiid and DeMar Rozan put on scoring masterclasses but the Philadelphia 76ers got up after a fast start and won 119-108 over the Chicago Bulls. Embiid finished with 40 points with 10 rebounds, while DeRozan had a season-high 45 points along with nine rebounds and seven assists.

Luka Dončić had a triple-double with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists despite foul trouble as the Dallas Mavericks won 103-94 over the Atlanta Hawks.

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The struggling Orlando Magic managed five-of-25 from three-point range and 35.8 per cent shooting from the floor in their 116-83 loss to the Boston Celtics.

The Magic are last in the east with a 12-43 record.