Grades: Kings Bend the Knee to Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokić – A+

On another night, Jokić might have let the referees get to his head. He might’ve taken himself out of the game, or earned a technical foul, or maybe an ejection. We headed that way Friday night, but Jokić caught himself and took a different approach. Instead, he directed his fury at the Kings, scoring through the contact and literally smirking at the referees while they swallowed their whistles. He couldn’t get a call, but he didn’t need one.

The Kings, without Richaun Holmes, had little to offer in terms of resistance. And the Nuggets, closer to full strength, were harder to back into a corner. The spacing was night and day, and everyone had more room to breathe, particularly the big fella. He finished with 33 points on 2o shots, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks.

Jokic with the block and DIME 😲 pic.twitter.com/gEdmqHhzgk

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) January 8, 2022

Aaron Gordon – C+

Gordon played a quiet game Friday night. He only took seven shots, grabbed three rebounds, and wasn’t in the spotlight on defense. Before the game, Popeye Jones told the media that AG played sick against Utah. On Thursday, both AG and Bones Hyland were sent home with a non-COVID-related illness.

Will Barton – C+

Barton didn’t shoot well, and he died on every screen despite looking a little more comfortable at his natural position. But he redeemed himself with six assists, the product of a willingness to drive and kick — something Denver doesn’t do enough.

Monte Morris – B-

Morris can score a little for a backup guard thrust into an elevated role, and more importantly, defenses know that. They guarded Morris honestly, who is developing quite the chemistry with Nikola Jokić. He, too, died on every screen, but he at least played the part offensively. It’s good to see Morris back with the starters.

JaMychal Green – A

Green caught the spot start in place of Jeff Green, who returned but came off the bench. JaMychal looked great alongside the starters, logging 13 and 9 in 22:16 on the floor. He was aggressive on the glass, active off-ball, engaged defensively, and limited his mistakes. No player in Denver is struggling more than JaMychal this season. It was great to see him play well.

Jeff Green – A

Have a night, Dos Verdes. While JaMychal excelled with the starters, Jeff excelled with the bench, emerging as a dynamic pick-and-roll partner for the Tiny King Facundo Campazzo. Uncle Jeff put on a personal dunk contest, throwing Tristan Thompson and Marvin Bagley III into a family photo. He dropped 18 points on just nine shots and nearly brought the house down — twice.

Not one but TWO huge slams for Jeff Green 😱 pic.twitter.com/IN1IlSS84r

— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 8, 2022

Facundo Campazzo – B+

Head Coach Michael Malone referred to Facundo Campazzo as one of the best pick and roll players in the world before the season started. Since then, we’ve seen a flurry of pick-and-pops and lifeless swings along the perimeter. Jeff Green rolled hard, and Facu found him over and over again. Three of Facu’s seven assists went to Green as they closed the third quarter with a two-man party.

Bones Hyland – A-

Hyland got back on track with a 13 point performance while shooting 3 of 6 deep. We also saw him turn the corner and get into the teeth of the defense, a rarer sight of late. Through it all, he maintained what he picked up in his slump, grabbing five rebounds thanks to a committed approach on the glass.

Austin Rivers – B-

While Morris and Barton couldn’t stay attached to the guards, Rivers made it his mission to, earning another coveted DPOG chain.

Zeke Nnaji – B-

Zeke’s box score isn’t worth writing home about, but there’s reason to be encouraged. He knocked down an open three of pick-and-pop with Facu and recorded the best block of his young career.

Zeke Nnaji with a fantastic block, then Jeff Green steals it and Austiin Rivers finishes at the other end with a driving baseline layup#Nuggets #MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/iObGQuZepe

— Joel Rush (@JoelRushNBA) January 8, 2022