The Denver Nuggets Win Their First Game in Austin

“I really don’t even know why we’re here.”

– Michael Malone on playing the Spurs in Austin, Texas

Nikola Jokić – A

Nikola Jokić chose to back Victor Wembanyama under the basket before attempting his first shot of the night. Wembanyama blocked it easily, and that’s all it took for Jokić to figure it out. He began attacking the Spurs on the move, applying a burst of speed at the catch to beat Wembanyama to the floater zone. The Spurs’ phenom is a one-man wrecking crew on defense, and he’s eager to disrupt. Jokić took advantage by cutting whenever Wembanyama turned his head. The notion that Jokić is out of shape has been supplanted with the realization that he’s one of the best-conditioned bigs in the league. The big fella was active.

While Jokić put on a clinic, Wembanyama flashed his outrageous potential. The young Frenchman is special, and his time will come. But it’s not now. Now belongs to Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets.

Jamal Murray – B-

Murray’s first four assists of the night went to Jokić. The first three looked similar, drawing Wembanyama’s attention before finding Jokić in space or on the move. In the second half, Murray picked up four more assists, each to a member of the surging second unit. That group is on a roll, and Murray deserves credit as the leader. He struggled from the field again, but that doesn’t paint the whole picture. His ten rebounds, eight assists, and four steals should be considered.

Michael Porter Jr. – B

It was a relatively quiet night for Michael Porter Jr, except for one loud dunk.

MICHAEL PORTER JR 😳😳pic.twitter.com/dEMcCDkqZA

— The Daily Dunk (@dailydunkfr) March 16, 2024

Porter otherwise did what was expected of him: solid rebounding and efficient shotmaking. He logged just 23 minutes in the win.

Aaron Gordon – B+

Gordon is more than a powerhouse. His playmaking ability is rare for a power forward, and it shined against the Spurs. Like Murray, four of Gordon’s assists went to Jokić. And as with Murray, Wembanyama was too eager to make a play when Gordon had the ball. AG never forced it. There’s no reason to do so when the best player alive is open.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – C

There’s not much to write home about regarding Kenny Pope. He did record three more steals and contributed to some crisp ball movement. He also turned the ball over twice and smoked a good look at the rim.

Reggie Jackson – B-

Jackson continued moving in the right direction against the Spurs. He’s playing alongside Jokić and the starters now, while Murray leads the red-hot second unit. It might be that simple.

Christian Braun – A

Christian Braun is a man on fire. He recorded 13 points, four rebounds, four assists, and three steals. He also made a pair of 3s, including a saucy stepback. Braun was posting highlights left and right, featuring an alley-oop straight out of Calvin Booth’s daydreams and into Peyton Watson’s hands. I’m not sure that Booth daydreams, to be honest. But he doesn’t need to these days. His vision for the second unit is beginning to materialize.

Peyton Watson – B+

Watson has been struggling with his 3s lately. Thankfully, he didn’t settle against the Spurs. Watson scored three times by cutting into the paint and twice by finishing an alley-oop. He did get a couple of jumpers to fall, too. And yes, they’re a pair of 15-footers.

Justin Holiday – A-

Typically, firefighters fight fire. In Austin, ‘The Fireman’ started one off the bench. Holiday shot 5/9 from the floor and 3/6 from deep.

Zeke Nnaji – B+

Zeke Nnaji earned the DPOG chain thanks to three blocked shots. He also scored four points, grabbed four rebounds, and recorded a couple of assists. He even dunked on Wembanyama. Never miss garbage time!