Grades: Nikola Jokić Saves the Day in New Orleans

“When the game is on the line, and we need a basket, the ball is going to (Jokić).”  

Michael Malone

Nikola Jokić – A

Jokić wasn’t particularly interested in playing defense in New Orleans. Nor did he appear keen on leading by example with body language. But none of that matters when he drops 39, 11, and 11 on 17-23 from the floor, as he did Wednesday night. Jokić scored 17 of Denver’s final 24 points, including 11 in overtime, when he was the only Nugget to score a field goal.

All 17 of Jokić’s field goals on the night came from two-point range. Poor Jonas Valančiūnas—who played good defense—couldn’t escape the torture chamber. Jokić is inevitable.

The grip on the proverbial rope loosened in the third quarter, as yet another post-halftime collapse looked to be in the cards. But Jokić dug deep and summoned his inner monster. He was virtually unguardable down the stretch. If you’d like to see all 17 buckets, you can, courtesy of Mr. Wind:

Every one of Nikola Jokic's 17 baskets tonight. pic.twitter.com/LZzR2Ig5FQ

— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) December 9, 2021

The Nuggets are indeed predictable in how they’d like to play, but there’s nothing predictable about the player they play through. There’s no shame in looking to the MVP time and time again. Michael Malone expressed a similar sentiment after the game:

“When the game is on the line, and we need a basket, the ball is going to him.”  

Will Barton – B

Barton and Jokić sprinted out of the gate, scoring 13 points each in the opening quarter. Barton did so on seven shots and added three assists as well. He cooled off from the field, eventually struggling, but his 4 of 7 shooting from deep propelled him to 20 points. He also tacked on six assists, although he turned it over three times. Barton was Jokić’s running mate and the bench’s reinforcement. He and Aaron Gordon were the only Nuggets to break 40 minutes played.

Aaron Gordon – B

Gordon didn’t expend much energy on offense and settled for the jumper a bit too easily. That might be because the lion’s share of his focus was dedicated to slowing Brandon Ingram, who only scored 16 points and turned it over six times. Malone shouted Gordon’s defense out after the game.

Jeff Green – C

Green provided more of what we’re used to offensively as the plug-in with the starters. He was slow on a painful amount of closeouts, however, leading to many 3s.

Game note: Green logged his 1000th career game in the NBA Wednesday night — particularly impressive given he never found a long-term home.

Monte Morris – C+

Morris didn’t hit his shots in New Orleans, but he stepped up on defense, recording three steals, including an important one in clutch time, bailing Jokić out against the formidable Valančiūnas.

Facundo Campazzo – B-

Campazzo struggled from distance but scored nine points thanks to two (count ’em!) layups and a shockingly fluid mid-range jump shot. Feel free to take more of the latter, Facu. He also recorded four assists and didn’t turn the ball over in 22 minutes off the bench.

Bones Hyland – C-

In his return to action from quarantine in Orlando, Hyland knocked down five free throws but struggled from the field. After the game, Hyland chalked the struggles up to the extended quarantine but noted the break was good for his previously sprained ankles.

JaMychal Green – B+

In today’s feel-good news: Green rebounded with a strong performance. Green scored 10 points and grabbed five rebounds (two OREB) in 16 minutes off the bench. He recorded two steals, drew two charges, and sent a Josh Hart layup flying off the backboard. He even knocked down a triple.

Malone reflected on Green’s performance after the game, stressing no slump is easy for a player to navigate and that Green never lost the respect of his teammates or coaches.

“JaMychal Green deserved that, and I’m happy for him.”

Zeke Nnaji – D+

Things didn’t go as well for Nnaji, who blended into the background. In his defense, the bench relied heavily on the Facu-Green pick-and-roll. Still, he failed to put his fingerprints on the win.

Davon Reed – B-

His teammates looked competent around him, and Reed looked dependable. Go figure.