The Denver Nuggets Fold in Game Six

Nikola Jokić – C+

Jokić didn’t have that same look in his eye through the first three-quarters of Game Six. Admittedly, he was the best Nugget on the floor, and the Wolves dared others to beat them. It was a fruitful strategy—Jokić generated great looks, but his teammates couldn’t convert. Still, we’ve seen Jokić move mountains to create a path to victory. He looked more like a bystander than a game-changer for stretches of the blowout. And he was indeed a bystander for the fourth quarter. He stood and watched an extended garbage time with a determined look on his face. Jokić would likely downplay any significance. But Nuggets fans hope it’s the next great image preceding the next great playoff moment. The Denver Nuggets are headed to another Game Seven; this time, they’ve got a 3x MVP at the wheel.

Jamal Murray – F

Jamal Murray’s injury is well-documented. The excuse is built-in. But we’ve seen better performances since the calf strain appeared on the injury report at the end of Round One. Like in Game Two, Murray’s performance was untenable. He shot 4/18 from the floor, and he was arguably worse on the other end of the floor. The Nuggets need more from him to have any chance in Game Seven. He has to be better, physical limitations notwithstanding. Fairness has nothing to do with the task ahead. We can confidently assume Murray knows this. Will he dig deep and find something special one more time?

Michael Porter Jr. – F

Porter looks mortal again as a jump shooter. And he looks very limited in other aspects of his offense. Worst of all, he seems lost on the other end of the floor. This reads like a grade from three years ago. We expect a higher floor from MPJ these days, even when his shot fails him. Porter hasn’t been good enough in this series. Not anywhere close. Like Murray, he can wash that all away with a strong performance in the final game. There will only be one narrative that matters after the next four quarters. There will only be winners and losers of a hard-fought series.

Aaron Gordon – C

No one can criticize AG’s effort in this series. He’s out there hustling despite the fatigue blatantly setting in. In Game Six, featuring largely futile attempts from any individual, Gordon pulled down eight rebounds, knocked down two more 3s, and blocked three shots. In another world, we’re lauding his supplemental contributions in a win. In reality, it barely put a dent in the deficit. Gordon was also much better defensively in the last game, but the same can be said for virtually every Nugget. They let go of the rope.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – D

Mike Conley returned to action, so the Nuggets moved away from the trap-heavy scheme on Edwards. He looked great in a must-win game. Pope gave modest contributions at best on the other end of the floor. Like several other Nuggets, this has been a brutal matchup for him. Redemption is on the table this Sunday.

Christian Braun – F

The bench has done a great job in the wins this postseason. But they can’t be expected to save the day when the starters sink, and they sure didn’t in Minnesota.

Reggie Jackson – F

The only traditional stat Jackson logged was field goal attempts—straight zeros outside his six misses.

Justin Holiday – F

Holiday was shooting 10/16 from deep before Game Five. He hasn’t hit one since in four attempts. Denver’s shot luck dried up in the blowout.