Monte Morris' standout performance started with a pregame text from the Nuggets' front office

LAS VEGAS — Monte Morris entered NBA Summer League with the understanding that it was an audition.

“My job is to go out … and show everyone I can be a backup in this league and run a unit,” he said last week.

Morris is aware of the gaping hole in Denver’s rotation at point guard behind Jamal Murray, and if Friday’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves was the first test then Morris nailed all his lines, hit the high and low chords, and showed he could boogie. Morris scored 15 points on 7-15 shooting and dished out four assists to only one turnover as Denver hung on for a 70-69 win.

Friday’s game was not close until the end. The Nuggets led by double digits for most of the night and were up eight at halftime thanks largely to Morris, who scored 13 points across the first two quarters. He played well out of the pick and roll, probing into the teeth of the defense for crafty finishes and finding open teammates.

Morris, who spent his rookie season on a two-way deal, said he felt confident after receiving a pregame text from Nuggets president of basketball operations Tim Connelly.

“Tim just told me I’m the best lead guard in Vegas,” Morris said. “He texted me before the game and said pick up defensively and be aggressive offensively. Getting that text from somebody above you is good and humbling at the same time. It does something for your confidence. It lets you play freely and play aggressive, and that’s what I wanted to do tonight.”

The Nuggets took Morris 51st overall in the 2017 draft. He was an accomplished four-year player at Iowa State. As a senior, he set the NCAA single-season record with a 5.17 assist-to-turnover ratio. There was no room for him in the Nuggets’ rotation last season while Denver gave Emmanuel Mudiay one more shot to at least take over the backup spot. The Mudiay experiment failed, and Denver has not yet signed a veteran point guard in free agency. That means there’s a void Morris could step into.

“I’m a natural P.G.,” Morris said. “I’ve been playing it all my life. When I come off ball screens I’m looking at the back side. I’m not even looking at what’s in front of me. I’m just trying to make plays.”

The 23-year-old’s ability to see all the chess pieces on the board was on display late with roughly 2:30 remaining in the game. The Timberwolves cut the Nuggets’ lead to six points. Denver went to Morris in the pick and roll, and he found Emanuel Terry under the basket for an easy dunk.

“I’ve been saying that Monte reminds me of a European point guard who really knows how to read the game,” said Slovenian draft-and-stash forward Vlatko Cancar, who chipped in with 11 points. “He really knows when to pick up the pace, and when to calm the team down. I’m really happy to play with him.”

As a rookie, Morris paid his dues in the G League. He only appeared in three games with the Nuggets despite his impressive college credentials. The opportunity for a bigger role is there for him now. He took advantage in game one of Summer League after some words of encouragement from the highest-ranking member from the Nuggets’ front office.

“I try to stay even-keeled. I lose a lot of sleep when I know I’ve got a game,” Morris said. “It’s hard for me to sleep. Hearing that from someone helps me keeps my nerves down and makes me remember it’s still basketball at the end of the day.”