Grades: Nuggets running on empty, Suns firing on all cylinders

“I tried my best. I didn’t want to lose. I was trying to give everything I got.”

– Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokić – A

Jokić became the third player in postseason history to record at least 30 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists in a single game. He scored 32 points, two more than the rest of the starters combined. Jokić outscored, out-rebounded, and out-assisted his fellow starters.

Jokić spent the fourth quarter in drop coverage, watching Chris Paul dot mid-range jumpers with ease. Some are tearing Jokić apart for his defense, but the reality is Denver’s defensive efforts were simply futile. They could bring Jokić up to the level of the screen, which they’ve tried before in this series, but Phoenix would run him into the ground. That’s precisely how they tired him out in Game 1, and while no one wants to hear it, the truth is there’s not much they can do to slow the Suns down with present personnel. They needed to score, and Jokić didn’t have enough help.

We’re watching a herculean effort from Jokić right now. Do not let those who have been wrong about him every step of the way attempt to convince you otherwise.

Michael Porter Jr. – D+

Porter couldn’t catch the ball, hang onto the ball, or win any fights for loose balls.
He struggled to hit his shots and struggled even more playing defense. He looked like he was on the wrong court, and that compounded with each mistake. The lack of confidence was practically palpable.

I’ll draw the line of criticism here. Porter played poorly in Game 3, and he’s played a poor series to date. But I’m keeping my Michael Porter Jr. stock, and I’ll take yours if you’re selling.

Aaron Gordon – D+

Gordon struggled in the latest loss. He didn’t just miss his shots; he missed them to a shocking extent and never looked close to composed offensively. Most of his value lies on the defensive side of the ball, and the Nuggets couldn’t score enough for that prowess to factor in. That said, he didn’t give them enough in Game 3. He played a poor game.

Austin Rivers – D+

Rivers scored five points and put up straight zeros across the rest of his box score. He was a team-worst -18.

Facundo Campazzo – D+

Campazzo started again, but Malone swung some of his minutes to Monte Morris in Game 3. Facu only logged 17:49 on the court, and while Morris played well this time around, it didn’t add up to a different result.

Monte Morris – A

Morris was the best player behind Jokić in a Nuggets uniform Friday night. He shot 8/12 from the field on his way to 25 points and 5 assists while just turning it over once. He was who Denver needed him to be, but it wasn’t enough.

Will Barton III – B+

Barton finished with a relatively inefficient 14 points as he tried to stay aggressive and manufacture some offense. He also grabbed seven rebounds and recorded three assists.

Barton has played these last two games like a man who’s waited patiently to return. He’s relishing every second out there and leaving it all on the floor. After the game, Malone acknowledged the two of them blew through the minute restriction set by the medical staff. Barton’s been good since returning, but it’s looking like too little too late.

JaMychal Green – D+

Green’s had his moments in the playoffs, but he didn’t have any in Game 3. He was underwhelming in 17:40 off the bench. He didn’t convert on any field goal attempts.

Paul Millsap – D+

Millsap logged under seven minutes on the floor in Game 3. He, too, failed to convert a field goal attempt. He’s played a terrible series so far.

Game Notes: Jokić received his MVP trophy as a virtually full capacity crowd funneled into Ball Arena. He thanked his teammates in a speech so short that Wind could transcribe it entirely via one tweet.

Nikola Jokic’s full MVP speech: “I just want to thank you guys for all the support, not just this year, for all six years I’ve been here. But this trophy’s not mine. It’s all of these guys’ over here. So I want you to cheer for them.” pic.twitter.com/0BKN7iZjxP

— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) June 12, 2021