Grades: Denver Nuggets Drop Shorthanded Clippers in Los Angeles

Nikola Jokić – B+

The Clippers switched everything for most of the game, more than willing to leave a smaller defender on Jokić and front hard while Denver panicked in the face of slightly difficult entry passes. Denver’s guards were tentative and incapable on that front, and the Clippers doubled hard when Jokić did touch the ball. It was hard for him to get a clean look off, leading to another inefficient night as a scorer. As for the defense, he spent three quarters getting worked before finally flipping a switch in the fourth.

He turned the defense up in his final stint and logged 9 points thanks to a clutch three and four free throws. It didn’t look pretty, but he dominated the conclusion after checking in early with about ten minutes remaining. Ultimately, he mitigated his inefficiency with a monster night on the glass — 22 total rebounds, including six on the offensive end.

Will Barton – C

Barton shot often and hit less often, struggling to take advantage of the Clippers’ switches. He couldn’t turn the corner on any bigs and couldn’t manage a clean entry pass to take advantage of Jokić’s mismatch, either.

Barton was better on defense, clearing the shallow bar set since returning from illness. It was a step in the right direction, as he had some timely contributions to the win.

Jeff Green – C

Green scored his four points at the rim off Jokić-feeds with timely cuts. The two have excellent chemistry now.

Austin Rivers – B+

Rivers caught the spot start with no Aaron Gordon to match up with the Clippers. He played very well, knocking down some of the game’s biggest shots and scoring an efficient 12 points to go with three rebounds and four assists. He shot 4 of 6 from deep, including two significant makes in the fourth. He shot quickly when the ball found him open, and he limited the jab steps.

Monte Morris – C-

Morris is in a mini-slump. He got 14 shots up in response to a no-show against Charlotte, but he only knocked down five of them. Morris is not a good defender, and that’s easier to swallow when he’s knocking down his shots. He did get involved on the glass, though, and dished out five assists.

Davon Reed – A

Mr. Dependable logged the third-highest point total on the Nuggets (15) on eight shots off the bench. He shot 6 of 8 from the floor, each bucket feeling like found cash in the pocket as the defensive specialist spread his wings. He buttered his bread, too, smothering Brandon Boston Jr. on the final defensive possession of the game to seal the win. Reed was Denver’s second-best player in Los Angeles. It’s time to free up a full-time roster spot.

Facundo Campazzo – C- 

Campazzo didn’t play a great game in Los Angeles as the bench went full Jekyll & Hyde again. However, he made one of the game’s best plays when he dove full extension out of bounds and saved a loose ball, starting a fast break that Bones finished.

Bones Hyland – C-

Bones shot just 30% from the floor and 14% from deep in LA. The bench is playing better—albeit not complete games—by pushing the pace and playing their tails off. It’s working, but they still need more juice. Bones is the guy to provide it.

Vlatko Čančar – B-

Vlatko played well in 15-plus minutes off the bench, only shooting once, knocking it down, and grabbing five rebounds as well. Čančar missed the start, but Malone cited matching up with LAC’s size after the game — “Vlatko did nothing wrong.”

JaMychal Green – C

Green didn’t play particularly well, but Denver won his minutes. We’ll take it.