The Denver Nuggets never quite looked like themselves in a tough 113-107 road loss to the Charlotte Hornets, with Paul Millsap suffering a devastating toe injury in the process.
We grade every performance from the Nuggets with our Dynamic Player Rating (DPR), which take into account 12 different statistical factors.
Note: for DPRs that are lacking context, our beat reporters are offering their scout’s grade.
Nikola Jokic (C+) 62.37 — Despite only shooting 33 percent from the field, Jokic was the only Nugget to have a positive plus-minus with a +8 night. His line of 16 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists was quite good, but what hurt him was his five fouls and all the advanced metrics, defensive and offensive rating plus GmSc, which rated him quite low.
Jamal Murray (B-) 65.59 — Murray’s biggest contribution wasn’t his 20 points which were lessened by his 40 percent eFG%, it was his seven assist to only one turnover that really made his grade. His 25 percent USG% was right on par with his recent performances and he added five boards to boot. A solid game that could’ve been even better if not for his underwhelming DRtg and a 0-for-4 night from beyond the arc.
Paul Millsap (C+) 61.04 — It’s a true shame Millsap went down in this one. He was cooking offensively, scoring 16 points in 18 minutes, and getting to the line nine times as he made eight freebies. He added two offensive rebounds and two blocks as well. That said, despite playing less than 20 minutes, he already had a -6 plus-minus with a low GmSc and only had one assist despite a very high 27-percent USG%.
Scout’s Grade (A) — Millsap played great for the 19 minutes he was out there. He was efficient from the field and three. He got to the line with ease too and went 8-9 from the stripe. Two blocks for Millsap also.
Juancho Hernangomez (B-) 66.64 — The consummate good soldier, Juancho played a heavy 37 minutes and got his second double-double of the year with 15 points and 10 boards. He shot it really well too with a 72 percent eFG% and a sky-high 160 ORtg. Like most of the team, his GmSC and DRtg weren’t very good, but the Spaniard was solid none the less.
Scout’s Grade (A) — What else can Hernangomez do? Behind 6-9 shooting from the field for 15 points and 10 rebounds, Hernangomez played another well-rounded game. He’s found a home in Denver’s starting lineup until Will Barton returns from injury.
Torrey Craig (F) 28.58 — Craig had a night to forget per DPR, with his lowest grade of the season and easily the lowest on the team. In 19 minutes he struggled to do anything from the field in a 0-for night with a -7 plus-minus. His GmSc and ORtg were atrocious as a result.
Scout’s Grade (B) — Craig struggled on the offensive end, but he drew the Kemba Walker assignment and held the All-Star point guard to 4-11 shooting. Walker did get to the foul line at will and Craig fouled out in only 19 minutes. He was good defensively but could have been better.
Malik Beasley (C+) 61.85 — Beasley once again had to step up and did a nice job scoring 16 points in 32 minutes while adding seven rebounds. Despite a low field goal percentage he went 4-of-10 from three which gave him an eFG% of 53 percent. The other advanced metrics didn’t love his game and -4 plus-minus hurt his grade here too, but given the circumstances, he had a positive performance.
Scout’s Grade (B+) — Beasley was a bit erratic at times but still provided offensive and defensive firepower off the bench. Seven rebounds and four threes for Beasley too. He’ll see his minutes increase with Millsap out.
Monte Morris (C) 58.46 — The Nugs backup point guard had a strong shooting night and avoided any turnovers in 25 minutes, scoring 12 and dishing out two dimes. What hurts his grade was a 127 DRtg, one of his worst of the season as the entire bench struggled against Charlotte’s second unit.
Scout’s Grade (A) — Morris was solid against the Hornets and didn’t turn the ball over. On a night where no Nuggets player could get rolling from three beside Beasley, Morris was solid from beyond the arc, hitting a pair of triples.
Mason Plumlee (C-) 52.76 — Plumlee’s -12 game was the wort on the team in an outing where he put up a rough 117 DRtg, his worst since mid-November against the Houston Rockets. He racked up five fouls as well hurting his grade on a night where he contributed seven points and seven boards in 20 minutes.
Trey Lyles (C-) 51.65 — Lyles had a rough shooting night making 27 percent of his eFG% as he only scored five points in 18 minutes for a -7 plus-minus. He added three blocks and five boards but in a game where the Hornets kept going on runs and were hot from three-point land, Lyles’ shooting woes hurt more than usual.
