Ryan Blackburn here, the host of the daily Locked On Nuggets podcast, with your daily Locked On Nuggets newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Nuggets and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Nuggets Offense Sputters Without Nikola Jokic
Nov 17, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) dribbles as Memphis Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. (1) defends during the first half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images|Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
The 10-piece gives you the ten things you need to know from the Nuggets’ 82 games this season.
1. No Nikola Jokic = Problems: The Nuggets were without Nikola Jokic for the second straight game yesterday. He’s the three-time MVP for a reason, and the Nuggets were never going to be elite without him. Unfortunately, the offense has cratered when he’s not out there. The Nuggets scored 94 points on Friday and 90 points on Sunday. Without their best player, the crown appears to be very, very heavy.
2. Jamal Murray’s scoring potency has diminished: Without Jokic, the Nuggets had to hope that Murray would up his scoring production. He did the opposite in both games with 16 points on 16 shots on Friday and 13 points on 15 shots on Sunday.
3. Michael Porter Jr.'s scoring streak: For a while, it looked like MPJ would have a double-digit scoring streak snapped before it reached 10 games. He got to 10 points but on 12 shot attempts, missing all four three-pointers attempted.
4. Aaron Gordon is missed: Always under the radar, Gordon’s absence is an even bigger deal when Jokic doesn’t play. The Nuggets probably win Friday’s game if Gordon plays. His versatility is integral, but the Nuggets will have to do without him for at least the next game too.
5. Dario Saric was good enough this weekend: After five horrible games to start his Nuggets tenure, Saric accumulated 19 points, 18 rebounds, eight assists, and three steals across the last two starts in place of Jokic. His three-pointer is slowly coming back, and if he can maintain similar production after Jokic returns, that would help tremendously.
6. DeAndre Jordan over Zeke Nnaji: Michael Malone saw Denver allow 17 offensive rebounds on Friday and decided to bench Zeke Nnaji against Memphis. It was the right call, even if it didn’t work out.
7. Three-point shooting woes: The Nuggets shot 10-of-37 and 10-of-31 from three in the two road games. That’s 20-of-68 (29.4%). It’s hard to win games in the modern NBA that way, and Denver has too many shooters that are struggling.
8. Except for Julian Strawther: Sunday, Strawther had 19 points and shot 4-of-7 from three. That explosive scoring is one of Denver’s few avenues for high point totals. They better keep him engaged and ready to fire.
9. The Grizzlies won’t beat themselves: Despite not having Ja Morant or Marcus Smart, the Grizzlies were very disciplined. They forced Denver to beat them, and the Nuggets were unable. Physicality, toughness, and making just enough shots to apply pressure. That’s the Grindhouse method.
10. Let’s do it all again on Tuesday: The Nuggets play an NBA Cup game in the same building against the same Grizzlies on Tuesday. They sure could use Nikola Jokic. If they don’t have him, they probably won’t score enough to win.
After historic back-to-back nights over the weekend I hope the Kings’ De’Aaron Fox is on your radar. Fox delivered a 60 point game against the Timberwolves on Friday (the Kings, after all that, could not wrestle away the win) and then 49 points against the Jazz in a winning game on Saturday. While these scoring numbers are certainly a touch more astronomical than Fox’s norm, he’s still an athlete who’s averaged 25 points per game in the last three seasons.
Beyond pure shooting, Fox is a pleasure to watch. I mean that in an artful sense, like taking your time in a gallery or museum and letting your eyes rove over every flourish and detail. Fox has a knack for hang time, able to lightly adjust his body mid-air to tweak the angle of his jumper just so. It’s a bane to defenders because it’s nearly impossible to pre-calculate where Fox will wind up releasing the ball, but it’s startling, and fun, to see.
His passing follows the same rules. Namely: his own. One hand flings and scoops to teammates running down the lane, or flashing out to the wing, dependent on the sort of timing it takes trust and seasons of practice to nail. It speaks to the cohesiveness of the Kings, a team many are still quick to dismiss from contention but who will prove a difficult team to match up against once their roster returns to full strength.
Cade Cunningham
Admittedly, I hadn’t been paying that close of attention to Cade Cunningham, even with my well documented dedication to the Detroit Pistons. I changed that last Friday when the team was in Toronto to face the Raptors, and I spent a good chunk of pregame warmups watching Cunningham run through his drills.
There’s a new level of patience to Cade, who’s been — by circumstance — forced into holding pattern since he entered the NBA. This new level filters through his game. There’s still the juddery, at times mesmerizing, stop-start motion of his handle and with it the ability to force the pace he wants in a game, but now Cade’s letting the game come to him. Where there simply isn’t time to draw out a possession, or altering one might upend his team’s momentum (momentum has been something Detroit is relying on this season, to their benefit), Cade instead adopts the rhythm of the floor in motion. Now into his forth season, his maturation is evident, and it’s winning games.
Jabari Smith
It’s felt a touch disingenuous, how down on Jabari Smith those in the wider sphere of the Houston Rockets have been this season. Yes, he’s had some slow shooting nights, and made some frustrating decisions, but he’s also come back in the games that follow those less than stellar performances and done all the right things — leading to wins.
Smith’s a third year player in the league on a franchise that only really started to get the foundation of their rebuild right last season. He’s learning to adjust to quicker pace, tighter and more effortful defence (the Rockets are the league’s best rebounders), and what it means to actually compete versus playing at the whims of a single game, on a game-to-game basis. There’s continuity showing here, and it’s great.
Smith tends to have his best rebounding games when he’s also scoring, which just tells me that energy generated on one end of the floor is essential for him at the other. It’s also true of younger players — and teams, like the Rockets — learning what it is to stay consistent through a game’s many tide-turns.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Biz Deep breaths. The NBA has settled its broadcast lawsuits, and “Inside the NBA” is here to stay. (Sportico)
Preview Major changes could soon be coming to the All-Star Game. (ESPN)
Analysis The “unicorn” era of Anthony Davis may be over, but could the “Lakers AD” era just be starting? (The Ringer)
Legacy NBA legend Bob Cousy praises Nikola Jokic, highlighting his exceptional skills and comparing his footwork to that of a smaller player. Jokic continues to impress across generations. (Sports Illustrated)
Recap Without Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets struggled offensively, losing 105-90 to the Grizzlies. Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. combined for only 23 points. (Denver Stiffs)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Sunday’s NBA Fantasy Basketball Roundup
Nov 17, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) reacts after being called for a foul against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the fourth quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-Imagn Images|Nick Wosika/Nick Wosika-Imagn Images
As we dive into the latest NBA action, it’s clear that Sunday was packed with intriguing performances and unexpected developments. With 10 games on the schedule, there was no shortage of excitement and fantasy implications to unpack.
Injury Updates and Opportunities
The Sacramento Kings are dealing with some significant injury news. Domantas Sabonis, usually a reliable presence, is doubtful with a back issue, potentially missing his second consecutive game. This opens up opportunities for players like Kevin Huerter and Trey Lyles to step up. Meanwhile, DeMar DeRozan is officially out for his third consecutive game.
Key Performances and Fantasy Implications
The Minnesota Timberwolves’ victory over the Phoenix Suns highlighted some strategic missteps by the Suns. Starting Mason Plumlee and Jusuf Nurkic together against Minnesota’s big lineup didn’t pay off, with Nurkic playing only 14 minutes. His inconsistent performances make him a risky fantasy option, as his playing time and production fluctuate wildly.
On the Timberwolves’ side, Mike Conley’s increased minutes are worth noting. While his scoring was minimal, his contributions in other areas helped secure the win. Naz Reid, despite his scoring potential, continues to struggle defensively, which could limit his fantasy upside.
Click the button below to see why one of KD’s newest running mates could be worth a look, and how Charlotte’s injury concerns will affect your lineup.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Nuggets podcasts.
The Nuggets without Jokic might not be good Matt and Ryan go in-depth on the Denver Nuggets loss to the Memphis Grizzlies and how Jamal Murray hasn’t stepped up without Nikola Jokic.
Locked On Nuggets POSTCAST: Nuggets have no juice without Jokic Aniello Piro breaks down the Nuggets-Grizzlies game and the struggles of Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr.
Who Steps Up Without Nikola Jokic? | How To Solve Rim Protection Nikola Jokic is reportedly OUT tonight for personal reasons. Who steps up? How do the Nuggets solve their rim protection issues? Matt and Swipa preview the Memphis matchups!
