The Denver Nuggets walked into TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, as underdogs without five rotation players. Monte Morris, Gary Harris, Will Barton III, PJ Dozier, and Paul Millsap all missed the game. The Nuggets weren’t supposed to win it until Nikola Jokić put them in a position to do just that with a transcendent scoring outburst in the first half. It was a “very winnable game,” Jamal Murray told the media. But the Nuggets handed it back to the Celtics anyway, thanks to numerous unforced errors.
Jokić was a world-beater, Facundo Campazzo made his first start, and Murray’s turnovers marred his otherwise strong performance in the loss.
Let’s go to the grades:
Nikola Jokić – A+
Do you remember the player that refused to shoot a field goal in Memphis seemingly out of protest? That player is dead and gone — in his place stands an MVP candidate, ready and willing to do whatever it takes to give his team a chance to win. Do you remember the hand wringing over a lack of alpha males? Jokić’s aggressiveness is no longer subject to exhausting and dishonest evaluation. He shot 26 times Tuesday night, knocking down 16 field goals and dropping 43 points. He ran out of gas in the fourth quarter as the game slipped away, but not after dropping jaws in both Denver and Boston alike. Poor Tristan Thompson spent a long night in the torture chamber, but he walked away with the last laugh.
Another MVP level performance down the drain.
Jamal Murray – B-
“I put this loss on me,” Murray said after the game. “I don’t think I’ve ever had nine turnovers before. Murray’s right about the turnovers; he set a new career-high with the nine he’s responsible for Tuesday night. It’s unfortunate as they marred an otherwise quality performance. Murray’s defense was admirable, especially given how much time he spent on Jayson Tatum. He also finished with 25 points on 9/16 shooting.
Facundo Campazzo – B+
Campazzo played well in his first NBA start. He flew around on defense, and his sense of urgency never waned. It never does. He finished with 15 points, 3 rebounds, and 8 assists — five of which went to Jokić. It’s worth noting how dynamic Jokić looked alongside him. Of course, Jokić looks dynamic no matter who he shares the court with right now, and Boston had no answer for him, but what a treat to watch the big fella alongside a traditional point guard.
JaMychal Green – D+
Green is really struggling shooting the ball. He finished 1/7 from the floor and 0/2 from deep. After the game, Michael Malone said he wants Green to keep shooting as long as they’re quality looks. In the meantime, the once most reliable piece of the bench is in a rut.
Micahel Porter Jr. – D-
Porter might’ve just played the worst offensive game of his life. He finished 0/3 from deep and 0/8 from the field. He was scoreless in 24:08. Porter did finish with 7 rebounds and 3 assists, and he’s played worse defensively, but he’s on the court to pour it in, and he literally failed to score. Several of his looks were not only wide open, but consequential. He had multiple chances to change the complexion of the game with just one big shot.
R.J. Hampton – C+
Hampton left it all on the floor, and the officiating crew left a lot to be desired when it came to the Nuggets’ rookie. He couldn’t buy a foul call and wasn’t left much leeway to play defense.
Zeke Nnaji – D+
Nnaji scored just two points and grabbed only two rebounds in 26:28. He finished 0/2 from deep.
Markus Howard – F
Howard finished 0/4 from the field in ten minutes of playing time. He’s one of the most prolific shooters in college basketball history, but one can’t infer as much from watching him in a Nuggets uniform so far.
Isaiah Hartenstein – C+
Hartenstein finished 3/3 from the field and grabbed one rebound in his ten-plus minutes on the court. These were ultimately underwhelming minutes.
Vlatko Cancar – C
It’s hard to believe how much of Cancar we’ve already seen this season. It’s probably the most significant indicator of the injury/availability concerns plaguing Denver all season. Cancar is professional through and through, but it was never the plan to play him so much. He’s not yet a rotation-caliber player.
Game Notes: Bol Bol could not crack this depleted rotation. While it’s not my place to speculate what’s going on with Bol, it is fair to point out that something has changed. We heard plenty from the front office and coaching staff about his talent leading up to the season, and Malone even started him when the first wave of absences hit. Yet here he is: glued to the end of the bench.
