Grades: Denver Nuggets Get it Done in Six

“I love our team. I love every player in our locker room 1-17.”

-Michael Malone

Never before had the Michael Malone-led Denver Nuggets won a series in less than seven games. The Nuggets had yet even to win a game while leading in a playoff series. Despite the tiring run in the bubble, despite three seemingly crippling injuries, the Nuggets advanced to the second round with a 126-115 victory in Game 6. The challenge for us writers is finding new ways to articulate what this team reiterates time after time — what you all know to be true about your favorite basketball team. They don’t back down

To the grades:

 

Nikola Jokić – A+

Nikola Jokić scored his first points with 8:57 remaining in the second quarter. He also hit the bench with some early foul trouble. That could have been a poor enough start to derail the entire operation, but Michael Porter Jr. stepped up in his absence. More on Porter later.

This slow start to the game might be the most important development of the night. Whether by design or otherwise, Jokić had considerably more fuel left in the tank when it came time to close it out. Jokić went on to play 28 more minutes after scoring his first bucket. He scored 36 more points.

One of those buckets pushed Jokić to the 1000-point mark in his playoff career. He’s already logged 39 playoff games, and the results are — well, they’re encouraging.

Nikola Jokic reached 1,000 career playoff points last night. His averages through 39 games:

✅ 26.0 PPG
✅ 11.1 RPG
✅ 6.0 APG

No other player in NBA history has averaged at least 25p/10r/5a over his first 39 career playoff games.

He's also shooting 52/42/85 in those games 🤯 pic.twitter.com/8ZwW1hdJrG

— Justin Kubatko (@jkubatko) June 4, 2021

As Jokić lifted his teammates to victory, the longtime best basketball player on the planet, LeBron James, lost in the first round for the first time in his career. These playoffs are beginning to look like a changing of the guard. The torches are on the move, and it’s time to call it. There’s a new best player alive, and he’s heading to the second round to face the Phoenix Suns.

Michael Porter Jr. – A

How did the Nuggets survive the slow start from their MVP? MPJ dropped six threes in the first quarter alone — a briefly held playoff record — and scored 22 points in just 9 minutes. It was the ‘Porter Quarter’ we waited for all series, and it came at the perfect time. The Klay Thompson comparison gained steam as Porter put on his best impression in the opening frame.

 

We call them ‘Porter Quarters’ for a reason. He’s still learning how to extend his hot streaks beyond a single frame, and it came as little surprise when he only scored four more points across the remaining three quarters. Porter was a non-factor from there, to the point where he suggested Malone ride the hot hands of Aaron Gordon and JaMychal Green to close the game. Without Porter and Campazzo on the floor, Portland wasn’t sure who to attack. Confusion permeated first, then a slight sense of panic.
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Porter’s still 22. For him to do what he did in the first quarter — it’s enough. It’s what the Nuggets hope for. This win has the phenom’s fingerprints all over it.

Aaron Gordon – A

Gordon shot 2/2 from deep Thursday night, and both came when needed. The first, an off-the-dribble early shot-clock look, cauterized an open wound. The second, a catch-and-shoot look from Jokić in the final minute of play, was the dagger.

 

Gordon, a career 32.1% shooter from deep, knocked down 60% of his threes in his first playoff series with the Nuggets. He is the unsung hero for Denver, finding ways to extend his value on both ends of the floor.

When the Nuggets first made the trade, an initial reaction was to point out what Denver had lost. In a deal with the devil type move, the Nuggets moved on from their best point of attack defender and exchange for a stout wing defender. Most expected the trade to pay off against the teams of Los Angeles and Luka Doncic in Dallas. But what about Portland?

Gordon guarded a wide variety of players and rose to the occasion offensively. He proved valuable where we assumed he’d be limited, and he deserves credit.

Austin Rivers – B-

Rivers logged the team-high with 40-plus minutes, played some solid defense, and knocked down a clutch three in the final frame. He couldn’t help himself after the three either and blew a kiss goodbye to the Portland bench.

Austin Rivers 💋🤌 pic.twitter.com/Os7p9hlWwS

— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) June 4, 2021

Facundo Campazzo – C+

Campazzo had his moments, like an inspiring block from behind on Norman Powell, but generally played an underwhelming game. Neither he nor Morris was great to open the game, but the latter found his groove and ultimately closed in place of Facu.

Monte Morris – A+

Morris opened the game with possibly his worse stint of the series. He made some questionable decisions — a rarity — and struggled to find a thermonuclear Michael Porter Jr.

Morris played an unfortunate role in Porter cooling down, but then he stepped up in Porter’s place. Morris finished with 22 points, 9 assists, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals. He shot 50% from the field and 50% from the line. He led the Nuggets with nine points and three assists in the final frame.

JaMychal Green – A-

We cannot overlook Green’s contributions in the final two wins of the series. For months he played poorly, and for months we highlighted that fact. He’s owed flowers after a near double-double off the bench in Game 6. He played so well on both ends and fought so hard on the glass. As stated above, Porter lobbied for Green to close the game in his place.

Paul Millsap – D+

Millsap was one of the worst players on the floor in Game 6. Here’s something else about Millsap — I bet he celebrated like he hit the game-winning shot. Only one column matters to him. That’s the column with the W in it.

Game Notes: Malone shortened his rotation to about seven and a half guys. Markus Howard also played five minutes, though they were pretty inconsequential.

Nuggets/Suns Game 1: Monday at 8 p.m. MT in Phoenix.