The 10-piece gives you what you need to know from each of the Nuggets’ 82 games this season. Tonight’s breaks down the Nuggets’ blowout 141-111 win over the Atlanta Hawks.
1. The Wizards game was fresh in the mind: The Nuggets needed a statement win. They got it tonight. It doesn’t change what happened against the Washington Wizards, losing to a team that won 16 in a row, but it was a start.
2. Winning the Start: The Nuggets have now won seven total first quarters this season out of 22 tries. When the Nuggets win the first quarter, they’re 7-0. They won this quarter 38-23 tonight, the largest margin Denver’s won any first quarter this season.
3. Jokic domination: Nikola Jokic was unbelievable tonight with 48 points, 14 rebounds, and eight assists. It was important for him to be great tonight after calling out the team the night before. Some superstars have called out their team and then wiped their hands of the entire mess. Jokic was in the trenches with his teammates tonight trying to fix the problem.
4. Historical dominance: In the last three games, Jokic has scored 131 points, grabbed 50 rebounds, and dished out 27 assists. Nobody in NBA history has accomplished those totals in a 3-game span in the last 50 years.
5. Michael Porter imposes his will: As awesome as Jokic was, Porter also showcased his unique abilities. He shot just 1-of-5 from three-point range, but he shot 11-of-12 from two-point range, attacking the paint relentlessly. The Hawks couldn’t stay with him.
6. Russ energizes the room: Russell Westbrook had just nine points, but it didn’t matter. His energy, playmaking, and defense supercharged the Nuggets. It was a great leadership opportunity, and Russ did what he could with 11 assists, three stocks, and a nice corner three. He’s shooting 56% from the corners this year and just 26% from above the break.
7. Aaron Gordon returns: It actually wasn’t an awesome game from Gordon overall. He didn’t shoot well, and the normal hustle plays and physicality weren’t there. He’s clearly playing through some injuries, but the Nuggets needed him out there last night to settle things down.
8. Christian Braun’s streak continues: 22 straight games of double-digit scoring. Braun has a heavy burden on his shoulders this year, and he’s handled it well. 17 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and three stocks last night. He was a +34 in his 32 minutes. The Nuggets need him.
9. Julian Strawther’s scoring: The impact numbers are really bad for Strawther this year. He was a minus-2 in a game the Nuggets won by 30. And yet, his scoring remains very important. 13 points on near perfect shooting last night.
10. Jalen Pickett shines(?!): It’s been a rough go for Jalen Pickett so far, but last night, he had five points and five assists in 17 minutes, a +18 on the game. I don’t know how many opportunities he will get this season, but I hope he takes advantage of every single one. He deserves it.
