Grades: Michael Porter Jr. leads Denver Nuggets to blowout win over Charlotte Hornets

The Denver Nuggets suited up to host the Charlotte Hornets at Ball Arena Wednesday night. It was a quiet setting for typically rowdy St. Patrick’s day, and thankfully, no one had the bright idea to try some new green jerseys. There were no gimmicks. The Nuggets were all business as they ran the Hornets off the floor just as quickly as they welcomed them in.

Will Barton continued his hot streak, the bench is feeling themselves, and Michael
Porter Jr. was magnificent in the 129-104 win.

Let’s go to the grades:

Nikola Jokić – A

Jokić turned it over three times. There, the criticism is out of the way. He was otherwise flawless, exerting not an ounce more effort than required to ice the game. He shot 6/7 from the floor on his way to 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. His passes alone comprise one of the better single-game highlight reels of his career. Jokić was deep into his bag, and his teammates converted seemingly every one of his dimes.

"My goodness." pic.twitter.com/y7WOpXXQ23

— Adam Mares (@Adam_Mares) March 18, 2021

In the words of Captain Mares: he’s a basketball artist.

Jamal Murray – A

Murray is heeding Malone’s words and rising to the challenge. He played a terrific game despite scoring fewer than 20 points. With Jokić conducting a symphony and virtually the entire team on tempo, Murray stuck to the sheet music and didn’t miss a beat. He recorded five assists, four steals, and 11 of his 13 shots came from deep. He knocked down five of them. That’s an outstanding complementary performance.

Michael Porter Jr. – A

Porter turned in a phenomenal performance. He found ways to get to the rim, cashed in on his looks from deep, and inhaled a game-high 13 rebounds. He dropped 28 points and made it look easy. He did all of it at the Small Forward position, where he was tasked with guarding Gordon Hayward for much of the night. Hayward finished with seven points on 3/7 from the floor.

Porter allowed himself to enjoy the game. He’s used the word “fun” in virtually every media availability in recent memory. On Wednesday night, he wore it on his sleeve.

How about the Steph spin?

The exclamation point on MPJ’s big night: a Steph Curry lookaway three from the corner. pic.twitter.com/hb8565Qlvs

— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) March 18, 2021

And you have to love the endearing admission after the game:

Michael Porter Jr. on his Steph Curry lookback three tonight: "It's something I've done before going back to high school…Honestly I didn't know if it was going in, so I peeked back. Thankfully it did."

— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) March 18, 2021

Will Barton III – B+

What’s gotten into Thrill? He finally hit a wall from three-point land (2/8) but scored an efficient 23 points anyway (8/15 FGA). He’s pried that proverbial lid off the rim, and wouldn’t you know it, with the pep back in his step on offense, he’s re-committing on the defensive end. He’ll never be confused with a plus-defender, especially playing out of position, but the effort is there and it’s making a difference.

Paul Millsap – B-

Millsap improved from his last performance on both ends of the court — disruptive on defense this time and a quiet cog on offense. He also converted on a handful of highlight-worthy “cheeseburgers” from Jokić. If you’ll allow me a brief digression, Millsap seems to flub an inordinate amount of god-tier passes from the big guy. I’m not sure why that is, and it doesn’t change the fact they’ve fit well together during Millsap’s time here, but he’s wasted a lot of burgers. Not so Wednesday night.

 

PJ Dozier – B+

Dozier shot 3/5 from 3, which puts him at 40% on the season. You don’t need me to explain why that’s encouraging. Dozier finished with 13 points and 5 rebounds off the bench.

Facundo Campazzo – A-

This might’ve been Campazzo’s best game as a pro. He finished with 6 points, 10 assists, and 4 steals.

Welcome to your nightmare, LaMelo Ball. Puedes llamarme Facu!

FACUNDO
CAMPAZZO

👀👀👀👀#MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/FZvEIkXy0v

— NBA Latam (@NBALatam) March 18, 2021

JaMychal Green – C+

Green faded into the background in limited playing time. Malone gave him just 12 minutes off the bench and he scored six points on 3/6 shooting.

Zeke Nnaji – C+

Nnaji played nearly 20 minutes off the bench and while it was a quiet night in the box score, he got his moment too.

Zeke Nnaji with a great defensive possession, blocks Devonte' Graham to close out the 1st quarter.#Nuggets #MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/F9a4qjkd8G

— Joel Rush (@JoelRushNBA) March 18, 2021

Vlatko Cancar – C

Vlatko is evolving from a trusty end of bench player to the Magic Johnson of Garbage Time. You want vibes? Vlatko’s got vibes.

Forgotten moments from last nights game, @CancarVlatko with the alley-oop pass to @ZekeNnaji_Hoopz pic.twitter.com/ds9iPNvaBW

— Denver Stiffs (@denverstiffs) March 18, 2021

Clean Up Crew – Fun

Bol Bol, Markus Howard and Isaiah Hartenstein eventually joined Nnaji and Cancar to complete the clean up crew. Bol knocked down a three, dunked, and blocked a shot. Even Howard hit a three. It was that kind of night.

Game Notes:

An update of sorts on Monte Morris, courtesy of the Peloton Prince.

Monte Morris is still out tonight, but he's on the Ball Arena floor going through a shooting routine right now. He's close to returning.

— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) March 17, 2021