Grades: Nikola Jokić Makes Game-Saving Block at Buzzer

“For us, any win is great right now.”

Michael Malone

Nikola Jokić – A-

Jokić fought hard on the glass all night and scored with ease through three quarters. He recorded just two assists, but that was a symptom of his teammates’ poor shooting. Denver shot 9 of 40 from deep, and that they even hit nine feels shocking.

By his admission, Jokić wasn’t great in the fourth quarter. Thanks to Houston’s incompetence, it was a competitive conclusion, and the stage was set for Jokić to do what he does best — close games. But he lost his touch, shooting just 1 for 5 down the stretch. Jokić failed to capitalize on his initial hero moment, only to find glory in the final seconds anyway.

NIKOLA JOKIC SAYS NO AT THE BUZZER!@nuggets win a thriller. pic.twitter.com/Ax3uL3FHEe

— NBA (@NBA) November 6, 2021

King Jok — the rim protector.

Michael Porter Jr. – N/A

Porter smoked a layup on a 3-0 fastbreak and then grabbed his left side as he jogged back. He went back to the locker room and never returned after the team listed him as questionable with lower back soreness.

Aaron Gordon – B

It was a modest contribution from Gordon until the final moments of the game. Then he knocked down the two biggest shots of the night. If you had two clutch threes from AG and a game-saving block from Jokić on your vision board, then congratulations. You harness power unbound.

Will Barton – B-

Barton did not score efficiently, but his box score reflects his effort level. He finished with seven rebounds, six assists, one steal, and blocked a shot as well. Barton never got a shot up in the fourth quarter despite touching the ball plenty. He recorded two assists in the fourth, but it’s worth noting Denver looks predictably less dangerous in clutch time, sans Jamal Murray.

They’ll take the win all the same.

It’s going get ugly sometimes, it’s gonna get tough too. What you going do bout it? Fold or fight? Imma figure it out & win. I’ll worry bout how it looked & the problems after! Win at any cost!

— Will Barton (@WillTheThrillB5) November 7, 2021

Monte Morris – C

Morris is still waiting for this three-point shot to come around. He also struggled with the athleticism of Houston’s guards at times. That said, Denver won his minutes.

PJ Dozier – B

Dozier’s offense remains a roller coaster experience, but he made up for it with some big-time hustle plays and defense in the second half. Two of his three steals came in the fourth quarter.

Dozier filled in with the starters after Porter left the game early. Malone shouted Dozier out for putting his head down and getting to the rim in the third quarter after bricking a three the possession before — something the Nuggets need more of as the shooting slump continues.

JaMychal Green – C+

Green shot 3 of 3 from the floor and grabbed three offensive rebounds as well. It’s not much to write home about, but arguably his best showing of the season. Denver needs him to find a rhythm now off the bench.

Bones Hyland – C-

Bones checked in early Saturday afternoon and logged 15-plus minutes. He struggled against Houston, shooting just 1 of 7 from the field and missing all four of his attempts from deep. Bones is still a rookie, and we should expect growing pains. Not to worry, as he’s in the rotation now regardless.

Jeff Green – C-

Uncle Jeff did turn Kenyon Martin Jr. into a nephew, but outside of that, he spent the night begging for the ball to roll in. He threw his hands in the air in exaggerated celebration after knocking down a three in the fourth.

Facundo Campazzo – C-

Facu finally got a couple of threes to fall and scored at the rim after Jokić saw him cutting. He looked better, but Denver is still struggling to win his minutes. Hopefully, this gets him going. He remains firmly in the rotation.

Austin Rivers – C-

Rivers logged 9:16 on the court after Porter’s exit changed the rotation. He didn’t score, but he did poke a ball loose and corraled two rebounds. The box score won’t show it, but Rivers played hard and played decent basketball in those minutes. After the game, Malone shouted the veteran out for his mentality since being pulled from the rotation.