Grades: Nuggets Grab Fourth Straight, Bones Hyland Leads Bench in New Orleans

Nikola Jokić – A-

If near 30-point triple-doubles are the baseline—and we’re getting there—then we have to change our rubric for Jokić. He’s been divine over his last eight games, and of those performances, this one relatively felt lacking. Maybe that’s because of his six turnovers, or perhaps it was his early foul trouble. More likely, I’m just spoiled. After all, Jokić dropped 16 points in a laughter-inducing third quarter, which propelled Denver to the win. He finished with 29 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists, and I’m giving him an A-. What’s left to say? He’s ascending. There’s no ceiling. Soak it all in; we may never experience this again.

Aaron Gordon – B

Jokić checked out earlier than usual in the second quarter with three fouls. Gordon began settling and launching from distance — it was ugly. That stretch marred an otherwise good game, though. AG looked great with Jokić on the floor, no surprise, and did enough to counteract the four turnovers and settle-jobs.

Jeff Green – D

Green faded deep into the background of this game, nearly indistinguishable from the crowd itself by the time it was all over. He did not take a single shot in around 20 minutes on the floor. Green’s earned his off-nights, though, producing at a high level in a prominent role for a team that needs all the help they can get. Bryn Forbes closed in his stead.

Austin Rivers – B+

Rivers got it done again in a spot-start for the ill Will Barton. He was decisive and confident, limiting the hesitations and leaning on the throttle. The back-up on a minimum deal is turning his season around. Any ugly adjectives are growing antiquated. He’s been good for a minute now.

Monte Morris – A

Morris was superb against a depleted Pelicans squad. He earned the coveted DPOG chain of the game award thing and nearly recorded a triple-double with 13, 8, and 8. He did not turn the ball over — The Fullest Monte.

Bryn Forbes – B-

Forbes needed a lucky bounce or two, and he got more than owed against the Pelicans. A series of Kawhi-like bounces turned his fortune, and he scored 14 points off the bench. It’s interesting how much Malone’s leaned on him in his nascent tenure here. Forbes was the first man off the bench in his debut, and he closed in place of Green against New Orleans.

Zeke Nnaji – A-

Nnaji did not miss from the floor, scoring 11 points and grabbing three rebounds off the bench. The rebounding still isn’t great, but its’ decreasingly important alongside DeMarcus Cousins. Nnaji brings other skills to the table, and he’s all but secured a rotation spot as we approach the deadline. Keep playing the kid.

Bones Hyland – B

Bones ran the point in the second half after Malone finally hooked Campazzo. The difference in the first and second half minutes was night and day. Was Bones spectacular in the role? No. But he was solid, and it gave the second unit a new look, which appeared to inspire more fear in the defense. This decision probably won Denver the game, alongside Jokić’s third-quarter rampage.

DeMarcus Cousins – C+

Cousins shot just 1 of 7 from the floor but bruised his way to seven rebounds and four free throws. The Cousins tenure is going well, even if he’s laboring his way through the minutes.

Facundo Campazzo – F

It wasn’t just that Malone changed his mind. Campazzo turned it over three times in his first six minutes. There’s not much justification for playing him if he’s not protecting the ball.

Michael Malone – A

There’s your adjustment.