Grades: Nuggets one-up themselves, Wizards steal another heartbreaker

If you thought the last Wizards game ended in a deflating and bizarre fashion, then avert your eyes from Thursday night’s train wreck. Denver finally found a spark in the fourth quarter behind a furious rally from Jamal Murray — sound familiar? In the final seconds of the game, Denver had a chance to win it or send it to overtime. The Nuggets got their stop and began to run a fast break. It was 3-on-1, 4-on-2 — call it what you want. It was an unmitigated disaster. Murray pulled up, Michael Porter Jr. never cut, and Facundo Campazzo couldn’t convert his open three to win the game.

Let’s go to the grades:

Nikola Jokić – B+

I’m grading one of the world’s best players on a curve today, as it’s fair to have asked more from him this time around. He finished with 24 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists on 50% shooting. It’s a strong stat line, but he didn’t look in control down the stretch of the game. Perhaps rattled would be too strong, but he looked disjointed. Defensively, Denver’s point of attack defense is laughable at this point, and it’s not fair to blame Jokić for the layup lines the opposition is running seemingly every night. However, it is still the case that Denver lacks any deference at the rim, and at times, Jokić couldn’t be bothered to raise a hand Thursday night. The loss is far from his fault, but it wasn’t his best effort.

Jamal Murray – A-

Murray’s involvement in that final play stings so because it marred his otherwise dominating performance. Yet again, Murray had that look in his eyes. He took a trip back to his vacation home in the land of the elite, a flamethrower for virtually the entire second half. In the end, Murray raised his hand and accepted responsibility for the botched finale.

My fault Nuggets nation.. on to the next one.. STICK WITH US!!

— Jamal Murray (@BeMore27) February 26, 2021

In true 24-year-old fashion, he tweeted his way through it after the game.

This angle.. pic.twitter.com/VBCpMqTcEZ

— Jamal Murray (@BeMore27) February 26, 2021

What an excruciating conclusion.

Michael Porter Jr. – B+

That same logic applies to Porter. This botched play defines the night, but it followed a rare complete performance from the phenom. Porter was locked in defensively, about as much so as we’ve seen, and grabbed ten rebounds, including four on the offensive end. He added 18 points on 7/13 shooting and even deferred to Murray in the closing moments when he could have launched a three. Porter is learning. He’s getting there. But he should have cut to the rim on that final play. Someone needed to. Alas.

Monte Morris – C-

Morris had a rough night, which one can infer immediately from his two turnovers. He struggled from the field, and although he recorded three steals, he got rocked defensively. Blown by or powered through, Morris couldn’t slow down Washington’s attacking guards and probably shouldn’t have been out there to close the game. He did so, alongside Murray, Campazzo, Porter, and Jokić. The lack of size and perimeter defense made for a tough watch.

Will Barton III – F

The Will Barton experience is as turbulent as ever. Some nights he’s able to hit some threes, attack the glass, and operate as an effective secondary playmaker. Some nights he’s unplayable. Thursday night was the latter. His offensive struggles are one thing — he finished 1/7 from the floor in roughly 22 minutes — but the defense is worse. He looked both unable and unwilling with Washington in town. He put forth a losing effort.

Facundo Campazzo – D+

Initially, I thought Morris to be the backup guard who struggled most, but Campazzo was even less effective in hindsight. He had a hand in some of the crucial stops late, but he was wayward with his shot all night and wasn’t great defensively. His highlights include some nice possessions defending Beal, but his lowlights include getting worked by Raul Neto. He was a bit overzealous and ultimately allowed too much penetration.

Zeke Nnaji – C+

Nnaji represents Malone’s alternative to the mini lad backcourt. He could have also gone to Barton, but fans would have skewered him if that move failed. Nnaji could have played alongside Porter, and it might have worked, but it’s worth acknowledging the crux of this complaint. While I disagreed with Malone’s rotations, we’re asking him to have trusted a rookie playing out of position instead. Denver needed one of Barton, Facu, and Morris to play at a higher level. No one obliged.

Vlatko Cancar – ?

Cancar played 9:43 in the first half. Why? I do not know. There are myriad swing factors we can point to after a two-point loss, and these minutes are right up there. Not sure how Cancar addressed the perimeter defense issue or aided the sputtering offense. Nnaji played zero minutes in the second quarter.

Isaiah Hartsenstein – C

Hartenstein played a little better in his ten minutes, picking up five points and six rebounds, including two offensive boards. He is a rough watch though aesthetically. Even when he’s doing something right it’s a little painful to watch at the moment.