Grades: Nuggets don't show up in Atlanta

The Denver Nuggets closed their road trip with a loss in Atlanta Sunday night. The Hawks, also shorthanded, waltzed right past Denver’s first line of defense for four quarters. With no JaMychal Green and Paul Millsap, the Nuggets relied on rookie Zeke Nnaji and the vertically challenged Nikola Jokić to protect the rim — a daunting task considering Trae Young and Clint Capela’s affinity for those short alley-oops. The defense struggled, and the Nuggets couldn’t find enough firepower on a rare off night from Jokić. It was a night of curious decisions from Head Coach Michael Malone, who admitted he searched for something that worked. Bol Bol played in both halves, and Michael Porter Jr. — who played well, sat down the stretch.

Let’s go to the grades:

Nikola Jokić – C

For the first time all season, it’s fair to say Jokić wasn’t very good. It’s one thing to miss shots — he finished 5/15 from the field — but he appeared a bit disjointed from the jump. He finished with four turnovers, a couple of which looked like uncharacteristically bad reads. Defensively, he had his work cut out for him as his guards failed to contain anyone or anything on the perimeter. It looked a lot like those Rockets games of the past — Young going downhill, Capela primed for a lob, the ball clearing Jokić’s outstretched hand by inches. Wash, rinse, repeat.

Jamal Murray – B+

Murray represented Denver’s only real hope in the loss. He looked himself physically again, dominating the Young match up the way you’d hope both in the post and when driving to the rim. Murray finished with an efficient 30 points while adding four rebounds and four assists. This grade should be an “A,” but unfortunately, Murray couldn’t stay in front of anyone. He might not have been the biggest culprit — we’ll get to Will Barton in shortly — but he wasn’t part of the solution. Murray rose to the occasion on one end of the floor and wilted on the other.

Will Barton – C-

Barton actually turned in a decent night offensively, but that’s not the takeaway from his performance. His defensive effort was abysmal, and even when the effort was there the ability was lacking. Barton, Murray, and the Nuggets rolled out the red carpet for Atlanta. He couldn’t stop a nose bleed Sunday night.

Michael Porter Jr. – B

Porter played well in his 19:06 on the court. On a night when few looked inspired to play and even fewer made winning plays, Porter showed up more than once, including some significant efforts on defense. It was a curious decision, to put it lightly when Malone went away from him to close the game. Nnaji took the floor as the only other big alongside three guards in the fourth quarter. After the game, a reporter asked Malone about just that. He told the media he took a lot of guys out, and not only Porter. He also added those minutes were great for Nanji’s personal development.

I’ll ask the question many of you are asking at home. Would those minutes not also benefit Porter? Is that not the next step for an organization that prides itself on taking it one step at a time? Malone’s answer begets more questions than it resolves, and frankly, doesn’t feel satisfactory. Porter was the lone starter to not clear 20 minutes of playing time. Malone decided to go away from him down the stretch, whether he’s willing to own that or not.

Zeke Nnaji – C+

Nnaji was in this game for his size and defense, and the latter shone through. He matched up with John Collins, and while Collins’ ugly box score doesn’t exactly serve as the requisite matchup data to confirm Nnaji did his job, the eye test checks out. He looked comfortable out there containing an explosive athlete. Offensively, his role was minimal, as you might imagine. And that’s fine. The biggest knock would be his rebounding. He only grabbed three in nearly thirty minutes, and the Nuggets needed more from him in that arena.

Facundo Campazzo – B

Campazzo got crossed up pretty hard but generally held his own in front of Atlanta’s guards. He was probably Denver’s best bet at containing Young. Facu finished with 16 points, picking up some of those near the end of the game. You might call it garbage time. Just don’t tell Campazzo that. He plays every possession like it’s a tie game, and his legacy is on the line. The Nuggets’ needed more guys to take that approach Sunday.

Bol Bol – ?

Bol knocked down the two shots he took, which is reliable, but he also looked lost defensively. Frankly, he seems lost every second he’s not shooting the basketball. I’m impressed by Bol’s ability to be everywhere and have no idea where he is at the same time. I’m also genuinely unsure how to grade these 12 minutes. It’s worth noting that Malone not only turned back to Bol in this game but he rolled him out again in the second half — a hard left turn from the prior banishment to the DNP realm.

Monte Morris – B+

Morris was the highlight off the bench. He finished with an efficient 15 points, 7 rebounds (!), 6 assists and no turnovers.

The Full Monte.

Isaiah Hartenstein – C

Hartenstein actually had some nice defensive sequences, but he didn’t grab a rebound in his 10:37 of playing time. He also finished 0/2 from the floor. Denver needs a backup center. These Hartenstein minutes (or lack thereof) are untenable at the moment.

R.J. Hampton – C+

Someone needed to step up and play defense on the perimeter, so Malone turned back to Hampton for some high energy minutes in the second half.

Game Notes:

No Gary Harris. Malone confirmed before the game that Harris reaggravated his adductor strain in DC.

No JaMychal Green either, although Malone was willing to predict this won’t be a long absence.

Paul Millsap was out again. We still have no timetable on his return.