DNVR Player Grades: Nikola Jokic saves the Nuggets (again)

Remember Nikola Jokic’s puzzling start to the season?

Denver’s All-NBA big man barely looked at the basket throughout the first half last week in Orlando as questions about his aggressiveness clouded the Nuggets’ start to the season. That seems like ages ago now.

Jokic strung together his second strong outing in a row Sunday in Minnesota as the Nuggets overcame an offensive power outage late in the fourth quarter but eventually rallied to beat the Timberwolves 100-98 and move to 7-2 on the season. Jokic also collected his second game-winner in as many games as he knocked in a 15-foot shot from the left wing which gave the Nuggets a two-point lead with 3.3 seconds remaining just two days after his 20-footer with 1.2 second left in regulation lifted Denver past Philadelphia.

The Nuggets and Timberwolves traded baskets for most of the first half before Denver carried a double-digit lead throughout the latter stages of the third quarter. But a seven-minute scoring drought over the final six-plus minutes of regulation which extended into overtime allowed Minnesota back into the game. The Timberwolves ended the fourth quarter on a 16-0 run, partially aided by 10 Nuggets turnovers in the period.

Jokic saved Denver (again). The Nuggets are all of a sudden 7-2 with quality wins over the Trail Blazers, Suns, Heat, 76ers and Timberwolves.

Let’s check out the the report card.

Honor Roll

Nikola Jokic – A-

It’s time to start talking about Jokic like he’s one of the most clutch players in the league. Jokic already has two game-winners this season and coming into today’s game he led the league in clutch field goal percentage (when the score is within five points with five minutes or less remaining) out of players who have attempted at least 10 field goals in those situations. He needs to touch the ball on every late-game sequence and should be the one taking Denver’s highest leverage shots.

Jokic fared well against Karl-Anthony Towns, and after Towns had his way with Denver’s defense in the first half, the Nuggets contained him in the third and fourth quarters. Towns had just 10 points on 3 of 10 shooting in the second half as Jokic, who finished with 20 points, six rebounds and seven assists, upped his defensive intensity.

Will Barton – A-

Barton’s biggest impact came in overtime when he drained two clutch triples when Denver’s offense was really sputtering and then secured a necessary defensive rebounds soon after. That was enough to put him on today’s honor roll. Barton’s strong season continued in Minnesota as he finished with 13 points, 12 rebounds (Barton has been great on the glass this season) and five assists. He’s the glue to the Nuggets’ starting lineup right now.

The Class

Paul Millsap – B

Millsap was quiet for most of Sunday until the third quarter when he came alive for 14 points in the period. That was when the Nuggets needed him most too. Murray and Jokic carried Denver for the first half but the Nuggets were in need of a third banana. Millsap tallied 14 points and 10 rebounds on the night.

Jamal Murray – C

Murray looked like he was going to have one of those nights, like when he put in 48 versus Boston early last season, his big second half against Sacramento or his 46 against Phoenix last December. But after a 15-point first quarter, Murray went quiet. He didn’t hit shot the rest of the night and had to leave the game early in the third quarter with a foot injury. Murray returned but didn’t look like himself and was largely ineffective over the second half. He also finished with seven turnovers.

Monte Morris – B+

Morris had a big opportunity with Murray out of the lineup to begin the fourth quarter as he was charged with captaining the Nuggets’ starters and fared decently. He finished with four points and four assists and didn’t turn the ball over in 22 minutes. After a shaky start to the season, Morris looks like he could be rounding into form with a few productive outings as of late.

Michael Porter Jr. – C+

Torrey Craig, who recorded five points, two rebounds, and an assist and was quiet offensively and defensively in 15:34 of playing time off the bench, got the initial backup small forward minutes. But Porter got a steady dose of playing time in Minnesota and finished with five points and four rebounds in a little of nine minutes of action. His highlight was a three-pointer from the top of the key that hit nothing but net and got Denver’s bench up on its feet. The split playing time at the backup three could be a sign that Michael Malone is closer to playing Porter regular rotation minutes than he’s ever been.

Principal’s Office

Mason Plumlee – C-

Plumlee looked off today, and it just seemed like one of those nights. He didn’t bring his typical energy to the Nuggets’ bench unit, which struggled again, and finished with two points, eight rebounds, and seven assists but also four turnovers in 17 minutes.

Game Ball