Nikola Jokić – A+
It was one of those nights on the road for Denver’s offense. They never found their rhythm as a unit. The first-half shooting was woeful. It all looked futile before Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray took matters into their own hands.
Despite the disjointedness, Jokić nearly put together an immaculate performance. He recorded a 30-point triple-double, shooting 13/19 from the field while only turning it over once. Denver trailed at the half before Jokić kicked it into MVP gear. He scored 16 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and recorded seven assists in the final two quarters. He shot 5/5 from the floor in the fourth.
His last shot of the night was the most important. Denver sought a dagger in the game’s final moments while holding a two-point lead. The shot clock was expiring, and Murray found Jokić behind the three-point line. He hoisted a 3 with a casualness that could only be matched by the subsequent celebration—or lack thereof. He’s a cold-hearted heartbreaker.
Game Note: Jokić has now recorded a triple-double against all but one possible opponent — the Washington Wizards. The Wizards travel to Denver on February 22nd.
Jamal Murray – A
Before Jokić saved the day, Murray kept Denver afloat. He dropped 12 points on 5/7 shooting and 2/2 from deep in his first 9:17 on the floor. His three-point shot drifted in the second quarter, but he stayed aggressive and tacked on eight more points. He was a true three-level scorer in Indiana, with a short chart to prove it. He Knocked down three threes, a couple of his patented mid-rangers, and a flurry of finishes in the paint. He also led all Nuggets at the free-throw line, shooting 6/6.
Murray’s shotmaking did fade after the first, and his defense was noticeably subpar at times, but none of it outweighed his positive contributions. Murray was a game-high +17 in Indiana.
Michael Porter Jr. – F
Things would have been easier on Jokić and Murray if Porter had dialed in. They looked to him early, and he gave himself the green light on a fast break 3. The opportunities were there, but Porter couldn’t buy a bucket. He missed two long mid-rangers right out of the gate—I’ll take responsibility for a brutal jinx there—and the rest of his game fell apart. His focus drifted, and he was eventually yanked for poor defense. Porter failed to show up in Indiana.
Aaron Gordon – D
More than once did I forget Aaron Gordon was on the floor. He somehow finished with one rebound in 32:16 played. He recorded only one assist. He scored in the single digits. Denver’s forwards faded into the background, but their teammates had their backs.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – B
Pope picked up some of the slack with 14 points. He can score in a pinch. But his defense is the meal ticket. The man they call ‘First Team’ struck again in Indiana, taking home yet another DPOG chain. They really should start calling it the KCPG chain. Malone lauded Pope’s hustle in the locker room video released by the team.
Reggie Jackson – C–
On one hand, Reggie led all scorers off of Denver’s bench. On the other, he got outscored by T.J. McConnell, and the Nuggets got clobbered while Jackson was on the floor. He probably won’t be named to any all-defense teams.
Christian Braun – D+
Braun’s still a non-factor offensively. He at least led the bench in rebounds again. That should be one of his goals whenever he steps on the floor.
Peyton Watson – C+
Watson was arguably the bright spot off the bench. He recorded three combined steals and blocks again. The offense was a bit of a mixed bag. He did shoot 50% from the field and 50% from deep en route to 7 points. But it seemed like those shots alternated between dead-eye and hopeless.
DeAndre Jordan – D+
Jordan played over Zeke Nnaji. That’s probably more noteworthy than Jordan’s actual play.
