Grades: Denver Nuggets Cruise in Atlanta

Nikola Jokić – A

Jokić picked up some ill-advised fouls and ultimately missed chunks of the game in foul trouble. He dominated when he played, finishing with 20 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals. He shot 8 of 12 from the field, and one of the misses was a heave at the buzzer. Jokić’s passing was remarkable, and while none of them will make his career highlight reel, the value in having a genius at the center position was on full display. The ball was popping all night.

Between the foul trouble and the strong performance from the bench, Jokić only logged 26:06 in a blowout win — a perfect start to a quick road trip.

Jeff Green – A

Jeff Green will find wide-open looks when the ball is popping, and he knocked them down in Atlanta. He shot 4 of 9 from deep on his way to 2o points. Another sign of healthy ball movement: even Green racked up four assists. He was active on sharp on offense, turning in his best performance of the season.

Aaron Gordon – B+

It was a classic Gordon night, a tough assignment and some loud buckets, but he capped himself at eight field goal attempts. He scored 16 points. He took Young on the other end, and while Young ultimately filled out the box score thanks to 9 of 10 shooting from the free-throw line, Gordon prevented him from setting the tone at home early in the game. Young found a way to play a great game, but not before Denver wrestled control.

Will Barton – D+

Barton looked off again. It could be the illness, or he could be in a funk, but his offense is sputtering, and he’s fallen off a cliff defensively. The latter is more concerning as we can expect the former to come around eventually. Will succeeds as a try-hard defender when he’s feeling fresh, but if his energy or health wanes for any reason, that’s the first part of his game to go.

Monte Morris – A

With AG on Young, Morris led all starters with 21 points and wasn’t under a spotlight on defense. He looked a new man alongside Jokić and company, settling into an expanded role nicely and going on a tear from outside the arc.

Facundo Campazzo – A

The Facu Redemption Tour is coming to a city near you. In Atlanta, he tore it up, recording three steals and earning the coveted DPOG Chain with his pesty defense. He turned defense into offense, too, scooping up loose balls and rebounds and pushing the pace in transition. Facu played in high-gear all night, sprinting up the floor when possible and doing just enough scoring (or threatening to) to open up passing lanes. If they didn’t open, he just waved his wand. El Mago recorded eight assists again.

Facu Campazzo’s last 7 games: 41 assists to only 4 turnovers and at least 1 dime picked up off the floor. pic.twitter.com/fEd2XZpZqL

— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) December 18, 2021

Bones Hyland – A+

Bones led all Nuggets with 24 points on 8 of 11 from the field and 4 of 5 from deep. He ignited the bench in arguably their best performance of the year, and by now, we know the formula: if Bones plays well, the bench plays better, and if the bench plays well, the Nuggets cruise.

It wasn’t just Hyland’s shooting that popped either. As he did when he first turned heads to start the season, Hyland’s displaying a knack for getting to the rim. When Campazzo can, and Hyland does penetrate the defense, good things happen for the second unit.

Austin Rivers – B+

Rivers returned from an extended absence due to Covid and looked surprisingly ready to play. He picked up where he left off before entering H&S protocols, scoring 11 points off the bench. When Rivers is decisive, he’s a helpful player in the role he’s playing. His crossover and drive are firmly in the circle of trust despite all the theatrics on the perimeter. He’s good around the rim.