Grades: Nuggets sweep Suns in Phoenix series

The Denver Nuggets swept the Phoenix Suns in the only season series on their schedule so far. The Nuggets followed one of their wildest games and most significant wins of the season with another one of their wildest games and most significant wins of the season. Late game excitement destained a game briefly defined by one of the worst six minute stretches of basketball you’ll ever see, and just like that, Denver has its head back above water. Nikola Jokić dominated OT after a relatively disappointing effort in regulation, Jamal Murray drilled a buzzer-beating three that would have impressed Bubble Murray, and Michael Porter Jr. caught fire.

Let’s hit the grades:

Nikola Jokić – A-

What does it say about a player when 29 points, 22 rebounds, and 6 assists comprise arguably his worst game of the season? It says he’s an MVP caliber player. Jokić only shot 43% from the field and took a suboptimal approach to his matchup with Deandre Ayton, which eventually devolved into a matchup with the officiating crew. The Nuggets went away from their best player in the first quarter, and he didn’t appear particularly aggressive — a luxury he’s earned given the lengths he’s gone to drag this team out of the mud. As the game progressed, when Jokić did look for his shot, it appeared he was hunting the call more than playing his game. Nonetheless, Jokić collected himself and dominated in the overtime periods. Ayton fouled out, and poor Franky Kaminsky found himself the new poster child for Jokić’s favorite baby food brand.

Jamal Murray – A-

That Murray was somewhat underwhelming in regulation is hardly relevant after he drilled the biggest shot of the season. He hit a scrambled, step back, contested three that resulted from a broken possession. It’s the kind of shot only Murray and a select few others can hit. For a highly skilled player, Murray’s best attribute is whatever fuels him in these moments. He is, unironically, defined by a will to win. He got away with a travel on the shot, but Ayton got away with a foul too. In the end, neither was called, which I ultimately appreciate. If you find yourself celebrating the win today, go back and rewatch the shot. Remind yourself this is a loss without a near miracle from Murray.

Michael Porter Jr. – A+

That performance is why Michael Porter Jr. is at the center of virtually every conversation about the Denver Nuggets — from group chats to bar chatter to media circles. Porter finished the first half with 12 points in 10:25 on 4/5 shooting and 3/3 from deep. These shots did not always come within the flow of the offense, and it did not matter. Porter looks different out there. He’s a knockdown shooter whose openness appears mostly irrelevant. His signature move is to wait just long enough for the defender to get into a good position, only to rise and shoot over the top anyway. The shots are rarely wise, but they rarely miss. Porter’s second half was impressive for different reasons. The scoring dried up, and he responded by ratcheting up his intensity on the boards. He finished with 14 and 11, and his rebounding was instrumental in securing the win.

Will Barton – F

Barton finished with 1 point in 20:48. He was 0-5 from the field, and his finishing at the rim is borderline comical right now. The bench looked strong with the inclusion of MPJ, but that Barton struggled so mightily while Porter put on a show is notable. Is Barton ready to come off the bench again? Is Malone prepared to make that switch?

Gary Harris – B-

Harris played some heady defense and knocked down three of six attempts from deep. You’ll take that from him every time.

Paul Millsap – D+

Millsap looks spent out there. Not ‘this has been a tough month’ spent. More like, ’15 years later’ spent. If there are remaining good matchups for him as a starter, we can cross Phoenix off that list. He didn’t play well in this series.

JaMychal Green – B

Some of Green’s best minutes came in a new and intriguing lineup from Michael Malone: Monte Morris alongside Murray, Porter, Green, and Jokić. Those have been Denver’s five best players this season, and they clicked well as a group. Is that a potential new closing lineup? An eventual starting lineup? Either way, more evidence that Green is ready for a substantial role here in Denver.

Monte Morris – B

Morris redeemed himself after a rocky start. He missed his first three shots of the game and failed to score in the first half, but he knocked down some important ones in the fourth quarter and overtime. Trust in Monte.

PJ Dozier – B-

This guy plays so hard. The Nuggets ask him to give all he’s got defensively and on the glass, and he responds to the call. Dozier’s feet are a couple of steps ahead of his mind at times, but Denver needs his defense. He had some strong moments on that end of the floor.

Facundo Campazzo – C+

Remember when Chris Paul tortured Facu on the perimeter in the first matchup of the season? I think Campazzo remembers. He dedicated himself to staying in front of Paul and succeeded in pulling him out of his game. Paul briefly looked more interested in embarrassing his matchup or manipulating a foul call than he did setting up his teammates.