"A bad loss": How the Nuggets fumbled away another winnable game

The Nuggets’ frustration from Friday’s 113-105 loss to the Pelicans was summed up by a right-legged front kick to a helpless stanchion that was lining the tunnel leading back to Denver’s locker room.

With 5:51 left in the fourth, Davon Reed checked into the game for Austin Rivers. As Reed made his way onto the floor, Rivers walked directly into the tunnel — not back towards Denver’s bench — and leveled the black stanchion with his right foot. A source told DNVR that Rivers then went back to the locker room and laid on a training table. Rivers didn’t appear hurt when exiting the game, but a Nuggets trainer soon left the court to check on the guard. Rivers never returned.

Whether it was an injury or just frustration, Rivers’ loud exit tied a bow on the Nuggets’ third-straight defeat. The 20-32 Pelicans, who came into Friday losers of five of their last six, scored 58 points in the paint, out-rebounded Denver 38-31, and dominated the Nuggets inside. Brandon Ingram shot 8-20 from the floor but handed out 12 assists. Jaxson Hayes scored 22 points on 9-9 shooting. All nine of his baskets came in the paint.

And then there was Herbert Jones.

The rookie out of Alabama torched the Nuggets for 25 points on 8-10 shooting. Eighteen of Jones’ 25 points came in a fourth quarter where the Pelicans shot 11-15 (73.3%) from the floor and Denver turned the ball over seven times.

“Herbert Jones really dominated us,” Michael Malone said.

“In the third quarter, they shot 65 [percent]. In the fourth quarter, 73 [percent]. Those are embarrassing numbers. That’s not even remotely close to being a team that is giving forth the necessary effort on defense.”

The Nuggets missed Aaron Gordon, who sat for a second-straight game due to hamstring tightness. DeMarcus Cousins (foot sprain) was active and in uniform, but Malone said postgame he didn’t feel comfortable playing him yet and wants to make sure Cousins is fully healthy before giving him minutes again. Cousins hasn’t played in four games. His current 10-day contract runs through Sunday when Denver hosts Brooklyn.

Both would have been useful against the Pelicans. Gordon for his defense on Ingram, Hayes and Jones. Cousins for his rebounding and interior presence on the Nuggets’ second unit. JaMychal Green had some encouraging moments Friday but clearly wasn’t the answer at backup center. He recorded just one rebound in 13 minutes and committed two turnovers and four fouls.

For the Nuggets, this was a missed opportunity to open a three-game homestand against a bad team that they should have beaten.

“Definitely a bad loss,” said Monte Morris. “We’re supposed to wash this team. We’ve beaten them twice.”

It was a sour return home for the Nuggets who just completed a strong 4-2 road trip. But Denver’s recent five-game winning streak now feels like a distant memory. The Nuggets have lost three in a row for just the second time this season. The last time Denver dropped three straight the Nuggets went on to lose six in a row while Nikola Jokic, who had 25 points, 12 rebounds and 9 assists against New Orleans, was sidelined due to a right wrist sprain.

There was one silver lining from Friday night: the play of Zeke Nnaji, who’s earning more and more minutes. Nnaji came off the bench vs. New Orleans but closed the fourth quarter and finished with 8 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocks in 29 minutes. The second-year forward is continuing to gain Malone and his teammate’s trust.

“He’s understanding schemes now and where to be and just talking more,” Monte Morris said of Nnaji. “Letting you know he’s there and he’s got your back and things like that. Things he wasn’t doing at first. That’s all about maturity. He’s been playing well for us and I wasn’t surprised that he finished the game.”

But this was another missed opportunity for Denver. The oddest stat from this season may be that the Nuggets are only 13-10 at Ball Arena. It’s a red flag for a team that’s typically taken care of business at home in the Jokic era.

Malone’s postgame comments to his players in the locker room were short and to the point. The Nuggets have a chance to right the ship Sunday afternoon against a floundering Nets team that’s lost seven in a row, but they’ll have to bring more effort than they did Friday.

And they know it.

Around one hour after Denver’s latest loss, I asked Jokic if the Nuggets’ effort against the Pelicans was where it needed to be.

“Not from me,” the MVP responded honestly.

I’m predicting a classic bounce-back game from him vs. Brooklyn.