October 16th 2024.
The Denver Nuggets have yet to win a game in the preseason, as they suffered a blowout loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday at Ball Arena with a score of 124-94. With only one game left before the regular season, the Nuggets are determined to earn a win when they face off against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday.
Unfortunately, key players Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Russell Westbrook were unable to play in the game against the Thunder. This left the Nuggets with a lineup consisting mostly of role players, making it difficult for them to compete against Oklahoma City's full starting lineup. This was in sharp contrast to their previous game against the Phoenix Suns, where the Nuggets had their starters play for three quarters against the Suns' bench.
Nuggets coach Michael Malone had planned to rest Murray for this game, even before he experienced discomfort in his knee during warm-ups for the previous game. This allowed him to give more playing time to other players, such as Michael Porter Jr. and Julian Strawther, who have been standouts for the team in the preseason. Both players continued to impress in the game against the Thunder, with Strawther scoring 12 points and making his first five shots, including some impressive 3-pointers.
Strawther has been particularly consistent in the preseason, shooting 8 for 18 from the 3-point line, while his teammates have struggled. This has raised some questions about the starting shooting guard position, where Christian Braun is expected to start over Strawther, despite only making one out of 13 attempts from the 3-point line. However, Malone stated that the decision on who will start will not solely be based on individual performance, but also on how well players complement each other on the court.
One player who has yet to make an appearance in the preseason is Peyton Watson, who is expected to return for the season opener next Thursday. Malone believes Watson will be an important addition to the team and will fit well with other players like Russell Westbrook, Julian Strawther, Peyton Watson, Dario Saric, and others.
Another player who has caught Malone's attention is Zeke Nnaji, who had a strong performance in the game against the Suns, despite the team's overall poor performance. Nnaji continued to impress in the game against the Thunder, earning a starting spot and scoring 11 points, along with three rebounds, two steals, and three blocks. Although there were some minor mistakes, Nnaji's confidence and improved form were evident on the court, as he even made a couple of 3-pointers.
Before the game, Malone was asked about Nnaji's preferred position on the court, to which he gave a candid response, stating that in today's NBA, players are not just limited to traditional positions like the power forward or center. Instead, players are now classified as "bigs" or "smalls," and their role on the court depends on their skills and abilities, rather than their position.
In the absence of Murray and Westbrook, the Nuggets used a variety of players to initiate offense, including Aaron Gordon, Julian Strawther, and Christian Braun. However, one player who caught everyone's attention was two-way player Trey Alexander, who was given playing time over Jalen Pickett, a regular on the Nuggets' bench. This shows that the end of the bench is still a work in progress for the Nuggets, as they continue to search for players who can make an impact on the court.
Overall, the Nuggets' 0-4 preseason record may be a cause for concern, but Malone and the team remain optimistic about their chances in the regular season. With the return of key players and the addition of young talents like Peyton Watson and Julian Strawther, the Nuggets hope to have a successful season and make a deep run in the playoffs. Stay updated on all things Nuggets by signing up for our Nuggets Insider newsletter.
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