Grades: Denver Nuggets Drop the Ball in Aaron Gordon's Return to Orlando

“This one hurts.”

– Aaron Gordon

Nikola Jokić – C

Something was bothering Nikola Jokić in Orlando, Florida, Wednesday night. It could have been his wrist — he did describe the pain as something that comes and goes — which would explain his poor shooting performance. He looked hesitant to shoot the three and missed all five he attempted.

It could have been the partying. The humble horseman is evolving into a “new man,” boasting impressive outfits, new cars, and an entourage to boot. Before you worry, this is not the start of a tired opinion column in the paper. He’s just rich and spent a lot of time in Miami, his third home.

One way or another, something wasn’t right with the reigning MVP, who looked angry with the referees and his teammates yet passionless on defense. He never set the tone or took control after the first quarter, which is virtually unbelievable.

Aaron Gordon – B+

Orlando opened the second half on a 12-3 run. Michael Malone called his starters out by name: “Monte, Will, Jeff, Aaron, Nikola. Those guys were not ready to play.”

Gordon played a good game in his return, but he was on the floor when the wheels came off, and Orlando scored too easily the entire half. Otherwise, his efficient 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists were what the doctor ordered. He did shoot 1 of 5 from beyond the arc. Had some of those fallen, it could’ve been an honor roll night.

“This one hurts,” Gordon said after the game.

Will Barton – C-

Barton looked either burnt out or out of focus. He finished with 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists, but he shot poorly, turned it over twice, and had little to offer on defense. Barton was heavily involved in the final possessions, balking at an open three while operating the two-man game with Jokić, then throwing up an airball on the final possession out of a timeout. He might have been fouled by — guess who? — Gary Harris. Alas, no call.

Monte Morris – B+

Monte Morris shot the lights out, pitching a tent and setting up an entire campsite between the arc and the key. He also spent most of the night guarding Cole Anthony, who punished Denver’s guards. I thought Gordon might take the assignment pregame, and he did pick him up in transition occasionally, but it was Morris and Facundo Campazzo who bore the brunt of it. Morris’ 22 points on 15 shots are impressive, but Anthony outplayed him down the stretch.

Jeff Green – C

The defense comes and goes for Green. To be frank, it mostly goes.

Facundo Campazzo – C+

Campazzo played a decent game, but he did a lot of fruitless dribbling, and Cole Anthony ate his lunch. To Facu’s credit, there were positive plays on defense, but he couldn’t contain Orlando’s guards for the most part.

Zeke Nnaji – B-

Nnaji was a good rebounder in college who hasn’t made that impact yet at the NBA level. But to be fair, he’s spent a lot of time along the perimeter, where he’s lethal. Nnaji hit both shots he took from deep Wednesday night and is now 12 of 18 from distance on the season. He led all bench players with nine points.

Markus Howard – D+

Howard got the call with Austin Rivers and Bones Hyland inactive. He took five shots and hit only one. You know the story with Howard by now. If the shots aren’t falling, he isn’t offering much else.

JaMychal Green – D+

JaMychal Green returned to action. His struggles continue.