Grades: Nuggets Run Into Boston Buzzsaw

Nikola Jokić – C+

Jokić put this one on his shoulders after the game. He wore it, admitting the Celtics defended him well, and what he thought were “easy scores” turned out to be anything but easy. The Celtics doubled him with size and length, forcing Jokić to speed himself up to avoid dangerous traps. Rarely does he play at anything but his preferred pace. We’re so used to seeing him adjust. He never did this time.

He wasn’t alone in his struggles, of course. Everyone got in at that party. The Celtics are on another level defensively right now, and even Jokić looked human.

Aaron Gordon – C-

Where was AG in this game? He didn’t make his presence felt on either end. He, and Will Barton, enjoyed an exceptional start to the season in elevated roles. But those roles have taken their toll, and as ambiguity shrouds the horizon upon which we look for reinforcements, the “next guys up” look increasingly weary.

Will Barton – D

I’m not surprised to see Barton lose his matchup with Jaylen Brown, but he got worked by all challengers. His execution and communication on that end are beyond concerning now. How I feel about his fit with the full-strength starters is well documented here, but those are not the present circumstances. He’s must scrape from the bottom of the barrel and find a response now. It’s been too long.

Monte Morris – C-

Morris struggled too.

If you’ve ever wondered how it would look if Jamal were out, and Michael too, and Will played poorly, and Aaron looked spent, and Nikola didn’t play well, and Monte didn’t play well, and

Bones Hyland – C

Bones Hyland took a small step back. Only a fool would hold that over his head given his late contributions, especially considering the opponent, but it highlighted how precarious success is in Denver right now. The bench, led by an aging star seeking redemption, and an insatiable late-first rounder in his first campaign, is essential to success as the starters struggle. That’s a strange place to be, given what we’ve grown accustomed to seeing.

Michael Malone started the bench in the second half, hopeful they might light a spark or remind the starters what healthy basketball looks like. It almost worked, too. As I said, it’s a strange place to be.

Hyland played hard. That wasn’t the issue. He struggled to create and see the opportunities he’s been cashing in on since the All-Star break. He wasn’t in rhythm, and you could see the gears turning as he overthought what’s been coming naturally.

DeMarcus Cousins – C-

Cousins forced the issue, determined to shatter the green wall through sheer willpower. It did not work. We saw Boogie alongside Jokić for a brief stretch, but the Nuggets were in a state of desperation by that point.

Jeff Green – D

Jeff Green is a good player, a good Denver Nugget, and did an admirable job filling in as a starter. It does, however, look like that ship has run its course. He can’t defend or rebound at a high level right now, and that’s what they need from him.