October 14th 2024.
It was a highly anticipated game at Ball Arena as the Nuggets returned to the main floor for the first time since their heartbreaking playoff loss in Game 7. The starters were determined to make a statement and pushed themselves to stay in the game against the Phoenix Suns' reserves. However, the end result was not what they had hoped for as they suffered a 118-104 loss, putting their preseason record at 0-3. The Nuggets struggled with their 3-point shooting, making only 33% compared to the Suns' 46%. They now look ahead to their next game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night, hoping to turn things around.
Coach Michael Malone has made it a goal for the team to play at a faster pace during the preseason, and they have been showing it on the court. The Nuggets have been focusing on getting the ball up the floor quickly, whether it's after a turnover or through long passes from Nikola Jokic. While they haven't been able to consistently capitalize on their transition chances, their efforts have not gone unnoticed. However, their decision-making was a bit sloppy in the game against the Suns, resulting in missed opportunities at the rim. Jokic, in particular, had six turnovers as he experimented with some flashy plays that may have worked in the regular season but not in a preseason game.
Despite the loss, the Nuggets can take away some positives from their performance. Their up-tempo style of play has allowed them to generate good scoring opportunities, and these exhibition games also serve as valuable conditioning workouts. Malone has emphasized the need for his team to improve their conditioning, and he pushed his starters to play until the end of the third quarter, giving them a much-needed workout. However, as the game progressed, the Nuggets' fatigue showed, and they struggled to defend against the Suns' aggressive offense.
One player who stood out in the game was Michael Porter Jr. He came into training camp in excellent physical shape, and it showed in his performance. He was strong and assertive on the court, reminding everyone of his offensive talents. From the first few seconds of the game, Porter was making an impact, driving to the basket for a dunk. He also showed great off-ball movement, allowing him to score as a cutter or take shots off dribble handoffs. The team made an effort to get him involved in the offense, and it paid off as he finished the night with 21 points, tied with Jokic as the team's top scorer.
In the first quarter, Malone surprised everyone with a unique lineup that included Jamal Murray, Russell Westbrook, Julian Strawther, Dario Saric, and Jokic. The Nuggets seem to be experimenting with different combinations, including pairing Westbrook and Murray together, similar to what they did last season with Reggie Jackson. Additionally, they have been trying out different pick-and-roll plays involving Jokic, including one where Saric was the ball-handler and another with Westbrook as the screener, resulting in an alley-oop from Jokic to Westbrook.
As the Nuggets continue their preseason games, fans can expect to see more interesting lineups and plays as the team prepares for the regular season. Be sure to sign up for the Nuggets Insider for all the latest news and analysis on the team.
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