Much has changed since the Minnesota Timberwolves ended a 14-year playoff drought by breaking Denver’s six-game win streak, and hearts, in the final game of the 2017-18 season. The Timberwolves haven’t been back to the postseason since. As Minnesota’s future has trended down, the Nuggets’ has grown increasingly bright, and the Wolves haven’t won a head-to-head matchup in their last seven tries. Nikola Jokić is a first-team All-NBA center now. His team has championship aspirations. But the most significant change of all could be a direct result of that loss, and the latest introduction to this now one-sided rivalry.

It’s referred to as ‘Game 82′ in Denver. It’s a marker in time and a reminder of how far the Nuggets have come. In many ways, Game 82 is one of the most important things that ever happened to this group. It wasn’t a nadir; it was the chief motivator for a team that picked itself up and turned a corner the following season. It reminded them how far they have to go, and solidified their position in the 2018 NBA draft. The Nuggets’ future might not look this bright if they win that game, for more than one reason.

Much has changed since Game 82. All of these thoughts swirled as 2018’s 14th overall draft pick, Michael Porter Jr., led the Nuggets to a 107-100 win down three starters on the road.

Jamal Murray, Gary Harris, and Paul Millsap were once again unavailable, and once again, Michael Malone turned to Monte Morris, Torrey Craig, and Jerami Grant as their respective replacements. The offense sputtered early, to almost no one’s surprise, but Jerami Grant found a rhythm, scoring ten first-quarter points in what was his most encouraging stretch of the season alongside Nikola Jokić. In both the second and fourth quarters, it was Michael Porter Jr. who led the team in scoring and left Nuggets nation once again excited with the possibility his stardom coming sooner rather than later.

Let’s go to the grades:

Honor Roll

Michael Porter Jr. – A

We’ve seen MPJ slip into unconscious states as a scorer. He hits a rhythm, and then he gets hot, then he hits another level that few people on the planet can access. But what was particularly encouraging about his big night against Minnesota was how he found his 20 points, how they followed a focused and tenacious effort on defense, and how it showed he could contribute to what a winning basketball team is doing without forcing the issue. It wasn’t the Micahel Porter Jr. show. It wasn’t a breakout game. It was a glimpse into what we can expect him to offer as a vital member of the rotation.

Porter Jr. recorded just one block in the box score, but his length came into play on multiple defensive possessions. When he’s in the right place, he’s capable of disrupting, and his body gives him a more significant margin for error than most. He was determined to get stops and protect the glass. It led to a first-half double-double and 14 total rebounds.

20-14-3 on 58/50/100.

This kid is special.

Jerami Grant – A-

Monday night’s win might have included Grant’s best stint alongside Nikola Jokić, and possibly his best game as a Denver Nugget to date. Grant put up 19 points—10 of them coming in the first quarter—on 7-of-12 from the field and 4-of-8 from deep. He was a lethal spot-up shooter, a useful cutter, and, surprisingly, a presence on the glass. Grant posted seven rebounds, including three on the offensive end—that’s noteworthy from a guy who averages just over four boards per game.

Will Barton III – A-

Barton III might require some rest. He’s logged heavy minutes all season, and his production has dipped over this past month. He doesn’t look quite the same when finishing around the rim right now, but that didn’t hold him back in Minnesota. Barton III posted 18 points and 4 assists on 6-of-11 from the field and 3-of-6 from deep—including an icy three-point dagger late in the fourth quarter.

The Class

Monte Morris – B+

Morris didn’t shoot the ball well in Minny, but he played the role of starting point guard well, logging four rebounds, eight assists, and zero turnovers. Eight assists and zero turnovers is an awe-inspiring feat, and the kind of performance Morris almost makes look routine. He hasn’t just been filling in for Murray, he’s running a beaten and battered starting unit, and he deserves high marks for his performance last night.

Nikola Jokić – B

Jokić posted 17 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists in the win. It’s an underwhelming line for him, and one that matches the eye test. He wasn’t completely checked out in the first half, but he didn’t look fully engaged either as he struggled to navigate an offense that included both Craig and Grant alongside each other. It’s a rare day, however, when Jokić doesn’t contribute to a win, whether he lives up to the lofty standards he’s set for himself or not. Jokić brought his B-game, and that was enough.

Malik Beasley – B-

Beasley brought the energy again in this win. His line was fine—11 points and 3 rebounds in 23 minutes—but it was his energy and will to win, perhaps best reflected in his three steals, that was noteworthy. Beasley provides the Nuggets with a much-needed boost of energy and a dose of three-point scoring off the bench. As we move closer to the deadline, the assumption that Denver will flip him for value before he hits Restricted Free Agency comes into question. Should the Nuggets hang onto Beasley and risk losing him to a poison pill deal this summer?

Principal’s Office

Torrey Craig – D

Craig scored just two points in his 16 minutes on the court, didn’t leave much of an impact on the defensive end, and cramped Jokić’s style offensively. There’s a role for Craig in Denver and the NBA, but starting him alongside Jokić is growing tiresome.

 

Game Ball