Grades: Denver Nuggets implode in Los Angeles

The Denver Nuggets sat pretty at halftime of their Thursday night matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers. Nikola Jokić had yet to find a rhythm, yet Denver led by 12. That was the peak, and the nadir followed shortly after. Another third-quarter implosion let a significant win slip through the cracks of their fingers. Jamal Murray struggled, the Lakers had a plan for Jokić, and Michael Porter Jr. no-showed.

To the grades:

Nikola Jokić – C+

The Lakers have Jokić’s number. After successfully cooking Gasol in multiple possessions to open the game, the Lakers began to send help, and the Nuggets turned away from their MVP candidate. Jokić spent much of the game parked near the FT line, where LA could, and did, send help comfortably. Denver’s guards struggled to execute clean and timely entry passes. Often, when Jokić did get the ball, the shot clock was already low. He was left with little time to adjust to aggressive help — a terrifying prospect when it’s Anthony Davis — and find shooters in rhythm. The Lakers defense deserves the lion’s share of the credit. Subsequent rotations were crisp and timely. They’re a well-oiled machine on that end of the floor. Many of the looks Denver generated were open but not healthy, as they appeared rushed. They couldn’t fall back on Jokić to stop bleeding and change momentum like they have all season, either. He finished with 13 points on 6/16 from the field and barely kept his double-double streak alive.

Jamal Murray – C+

Neither of Denver’s stars was effective Thursday night. They both struggled defensively, and while Jokić worked to navigate the defensive attention, Murray had a hard time with all the freedom. Whether he took too long to get into an action, struggled to execute a clean entry pass, or hesitated to either attack his mismatch or feed Jokić following a switch — he dribbled the air out of the ball and missed windows of opportunity. He hit some difficult shots, but it never felt like he was in control.

Will Barton – C

Barton didn’t play well in the loss. He did pick up four assists, but he shot 3/9 from the field and struggled with the matchup’s physicality. Barton’s a naturally thin player who looks a bit frail coming off the injury. He’s not generating much force out there, and LA swallowed him up.

JaMychal Green – B

Green caught the surprise start at small forward as Malone attempted to match LA’s size with a big lineup of his own. It worked in the first half, and Green played well. He finished with 14 points and 8 rebounds on 5/10 shooting in 28:24. For some reason, however, Malone left him on the bench in the fourth quarter. The Nuggets might have lost the game already, but it was strange to see Millsap close over Green after they played so well together.

Paul Millsap – C-

Millsap did a decent job on the glass and containing a timid Davis for stretches, but he was woefully ineffective on offense. He finished 3/13 from the field and shot 0/5 from deep. The three-point magic is drying up, and Millsap’s looking well over the hill.

Michael Porter Jr. – D+

Porter was borderline unplayable in the loss. The Nuggets hemorrhaged points with him on the floor, and he couldn’t knock down his looks to offset the damage. He finished 3/10 from the floor, 0/4 from deep, and Kyle Kuzma outplayed him straight up. Sorry for making you read that. It didn’t feel great to write.

Monte Morris – B+

Morris was the most confident player in a Nuggets uniform. He finished with 16 points on 7/10 shooting, including some fearless shots. Morris wasn’t afraid to rise and shoot or drive hard regardless of the moment or matchup. He took it right at LeBron James early and didn’t back down. Unfortunately, few of his teammates were on the same page.

Isaiah Hartenstein – C

Hartenstein finally saw some burn, playing 10:11 in the loss. He wasn’t great, shooting 1/4 from the floor, picking up three fouls, and generally looking overwhelmed.

Facundo Campazzo – N/A

Facu left the game early with right knee soreness and did not return.

Game Notes:

The Nuggets felt Gary Harris and PJ Dozier’s absence. Dennis Schroder had his way with Denver all night, and they didn’t have a point of attack defender who could contain him. Dozier, of course, doubles as both a secondary guard and a default wing in Denver. Both players could have been useful in LA.