Grades: Denver Nuggets Pick Up Fifth Straight Win

Nikola Jokić – B-

Jokić did not play up to his standard for about three quarters. After receiving a relatively favorable whistle in the first, he committed to a foul-drawing approach, then committed to showing his discontentment to a struggling referee crew. Just days ago, over All-Star weekend, the big fella told the broadcast that the next step for him is mental. Specifically, he mentioned “responsibility” and the importance of keeping focus despite bad calls.

Jokic’s response when asked what the next step will be in his growth as a player. pic.twitter.com/E390RHrODv

— Adam Mares (@Adam_Mares) February 22, 2022

That became relevant as the Nuggets ran the risk of dropping one to the Kings at home. But Jokić collected himself, re-focused on the game, and didn’t take the bait from Tony Brothers and company. He deserves credit for that. That and some quality clutch defense salvaged an otherwise lousy night from the best player in the world. That’s what winners do. They find a way.

Oh yeah, he posted a triple-double, too, despite desert-dry movement off the ball. I almost forgot to mention that part.

Jeff Green – C-

Jeff wasn’t a disaster but didn’t factor into positive possessions with the starters. Ultimately, he logged almost ten fewer minutes than his peers. A lot of those minutes went to Austin Rivers instead.

Aaron Gordon – B+

Gordon fell in love with his jumper against Sac, and why not? He shot the lights out. It wasn’t the healthiest process, but the results were good when AG rose confidently. He also rebounded well, grabbing nine boards, the second-highest total on the team. He recorded zero assists, although that has a lot to do with Denver’s painfully stagnant offense when he or Jokić held the ball. Still, just a couple might’ve pushed him to the honor roll here. That or a more significant impact defensively.

Will Barton – C

Barton shot poorly and defended even worse for virtually the entire game, but he hit on both fronts in crunch time. Malone handed him the DPOG chain, which might be confusing if you only caught 98% of the game. But Barton – and Jokić – steeled up under the four-minute mark. Both were responsible for critical stops.

Monte Morris – A-

Morris couldn’t get a stop, but he also couldn’t miss. He hit the biggest shot of the game – a go-ahead 3 with about 29 seconds remaining. Big Game Tae showed out again in front of both constituencies.

BIG Iowa State group of fans here showing love to Monte Morris #MileHighBasketball @DNVR_Nuggets pic.twitter.com/Bfr0tvlQCc

— RG 📷 (@RyanGreeneDNVR) February 27, 2022

The Mayor delivered.

Boogie Cousins – A+

Did Cousins play an A+ game? No, but he led a bench group that saved the night, and it’s not the first time. In fact, the Nuggets are now 9-0 when Cousins plays. He gets an honorary A+, which extends to the front office for locking him down for the rest of the season.

Austin Rivers – B-

There’s a good argument to make for Rivers as the best perimeter defender on the team, depending on AG’s level of responsibility on the other end. Rivers did a solid job off the bench and took some of Green’s minutes with the starters.

Bones Hyland – A-

Friend of the show Bones Hyland stepped up and led the Nuggets’ bench in scoring. He and Cousins prevented a brutal loss by engineering an inspiring run in the third quarter.

JaMychal Green – C

With no Zeke Nnaji — also a friend of the show — Malone turned to JaMychal Green, who has rediscovered his utility on this roster. He was by no means the hero off the bench, but he avoided many of the silly mistakes that have plagued his 2021-22 campaign to date.

Bryn Forbes – D+

Forbes couldn’t buy a bucket, but it never came back to bite him as the bench bought the starters some time. All is well that ends well, my friends.