Nikola Jokić – A+

For all the marquee matchups in the NBA, the abundance of talent at various positions, and our cultural obsession with star power, the best player guarding the other best player is a dying concept in the NBA.

In a Wednesday night ESPN showdown, Nikola Jokić and Anthony Davis took the challenge head-on, guarding each other for virtually the entire night. Both scored efficiently, but one dominated the game, and it started with torturing his opponent from two-point range. Jokić shot 12 of 13 inside the arc on his way to 31 points with 13 rebounds, 9 assists, and 4 steals.

He dominated and dictated on the floor, not best measured by his shot attempts but from the good old eye test. You can see when he’s willing the result in a different direction. You can feel the weight of his greatness applied with a single goal in mind. I call them reminder games, and he just reminded a national audience why he’s the back-to-back MVP. Jokić has a better grasp of when a reminder game is necessary than any of us, but the Lakers game is an excellent example of why some grow frustrated when he takes a different approach. It is genuinely a switch for him.

Aaron Gordon – B–

That was a sneaky good game for AG despite struggling as a scorer. He played some of his better defense of the young season, was active on the glass, and did well seeking out valuable space on the floor. He also flashed his playmaking skills with five assists.

He did shoot 0 of 3 from deep, and we’re well into a truly concerning start for his jumper. Ideally, it’s a limited look anyway. But he will be open in the playoffs, and extending or killing runs will come down to knocking down one or two of them.

Bruce Brown – A-

Bruce Brown caught the start with MPJ managing a back spasm, and the Lakers identified him as a non-shooter in the lineup. Bruce was happy to expose that as a mistake. His 4 of 6 shooting from 3 was more than a cherry on top of his relentless defense and awe-inspiring motor. It was a significant factor in Denver pulling away. Calvin Booth hit a grand slam with this free-agency signing.

A grand slam is when the bases are loa—

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – B

KCP shot well again, going 3 of 5 from distance en route to 13 points. Despite some lazy turnovers in the first half, the starters put some significant distance between them and their LA counterparts by the end of the game. KCP did exit early with a left ankle sprain and would not return to action despite returning to the bench.

Jamal Murray – C-

Murray is struggling right now, unable to do what he’s used to doing on a court, and not yet lifting his team like in the past. He shot 6 of 15 from the floor and turned it over four times, but, as Michael Malone pointed out after the game, he stayed active in other areas, finishing with four rebounds, six assists, and two steals. And that’s the message to Murray right now from his staff and teammates — just be you, play hard, and eventually, you’ll return to form.

Christian Braun – A-

The bar for Braun’s A- will rise as time goes on. For now, it seems apt for a rookie breaking into the rotation of an NBA lifer with an affinity for veterans. That’s no small feat. Braun’s eagerness to learn, relentlessness on the floor, and discipline as a defender have him well ahead of the curve. In the words of Adam Mares, Braun does stuff out there.

Jeff Green – B–

Uncle Jeff got after this one. It wasn’t his best game played by any stretch, but he stayed aggressive and played well with starters when called to action. He and Braun were the best players off the bench.

Bones Hyland – D+

Bones couldn’t buy a bucket with a blank check against the Lakers. But credit where it’s due also. He avoided an F here with five assists in just under 17 minutes.

Bones is under much pressure to make something happen with a limited bench. That won’t happen unless he’s aggressive, but he also won’t thrive until he unlocks an identity for the group in the half-court. He’s got a personal game within the game to be played as he navigates the regular season.