Matt Moore 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.
The 10-Piece: Joker’s Sickday Vs. Celtics
Jan 7, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) controls the ball as Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) guards in the fourth quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | Isaiah J. Downing/Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
The 10-piece breaks down 10 things to know from each of the Nuggets’ 82 regular season games. Today’s edition discusses the Nuggets’ 118-106 loss to the Boston Celtics.
1. No Joke: Jokic popped up as probable on a mid-afternoon injury report with illness, which quickly turned to questionable, which then turned to out. He left the arena before tipoff.
2. Surprise: And yet the Nuggets were competitive, tied at half and in the game until about midway fourth quarter when the wheels came off and the Celtics made enough shots to pull away.
3. Jules: Julian Strawther had another good offensive night with 19 points and continues to look like he’s able to create his own offense which Denver needs.
4. Too Hard On Himself: Jamal Murray was frustrated postgame, again putting the game on himself but really, he was 8-of-17 from the field for 19 points and a -3. He was more than good enough for them to compete. Denver’s problem was on defense.
5. Russ Overload: Russell Westbrook poured in the stats with 26 points, nine rebounds, and six assists and shot 9-of-18 from the field. His late turnovers were rough but ultimately, Westbrook did what he could to help make Denver competitive.
6. Disaster Crew: Dario Saric: 16 minutes, zero points, -7. Zeke Nnaji, four minutes, zero points, zero rebounds, -8. It’s nothing new, but the problem remains. DeAndre Jordan was a +1, though so for once his on/off splits were good.
7. Not A Math Problem: Denver somehow took and made more threes than the Celtics, which takes a lot of work. On the one hand, they lost. On the other, shortening that gap gave them a chance but the difference was in all the details that were the cost of the gameplan.
8. Everyone Deserves A Second Chance (Against Denver): The Celtics had 22 second-chance points to just 11 for Boston. The rebounding issue continues to be awful. Denver also gave up 25 points off turnovers compared to 13 for Boston.
9. Block Party: Peyton Watson had tough assignments all night but finished with four blocks and competed on every possession. He’s going to be an elite defender in a few years.
10. Up Next: The Nuggets are on a back to back vs. the Clippers Wednesday. We won’t have an injury report with Jokic’s status until 1 p.m..
Jan 7, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) reacts after a fouled was not called against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at Smoothie King Center. | Matthew Hinton/Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
How can you know in the NBA if something’s real?
If a team really is on a sustainable upward trajectory, or if they’ve overachieved? If a player whose name has become synonymous with trade talks really wants out (or in somewhere else, depending on how you’re looking at it)? How can you tell the difference between talent and development, and when does it start to matter? And how do you know that regular season dominance will translate into postseason competence, let alone contention?
I’ve been thinking about NBA mirages, the things we will ourselves into believing over the course of a season, as a few of the league’s prominent storylines play out. What constitutes an NBA mirage is that it has justenough staying power at a distance, but like the real thing, when you start to interrogate it up close its corporeal outlines vanish.
Trades are a huge generator of NBA mirages. I hate to think how many ESPN’s NBA Trade Machine tool is pumping out per hour as the trade deadline approaches. Jimmy Butler’s request for a trade out of Miami is one of the reasons I started thinking about them, specifically, where they shift from fantasy to reality. The prospect of a trade, for Butler, is as solid as the car he gets in to drive himself to Heat games. For Pat Riley and the Heat’s front office, the trade’s an illusion (delusion, maybe, if you asked Riley). What’s real to them is Butler’s behaviour, which they emphasized by suspending him for seven games.
Does Butler, since then reported to have asked both the Bucks and the Grizzlies not to trade for him, make his potential trade more real by narrowing its scope? Or is he limiting himself and his chances of an exit — any exit — from Miami?
Shifting from trades to returns, Zion Williamson’s back on the floor in New Orleans. Williamson’s dunks, like his first in-game slam last night since early November, have a knack for calling to mind immediately the contours of the earth under your feet. I tend to curl my toes against the ground, checking it’s still there. Why then, does he make me think of mirages? The hope for Williamson, since he entered the league, has been consistency — in his health, his game, his career.
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.
Must Read Amid Pacific wildfires, Steve Kerr and JJ Redick’s families have evacuated the area. (CNN)
Biz What the EuroLeague and IMG’s new deals mean for the future of basketball in Europe. (The Athletic)
Rumor Jayson Tatum made a statement comparing himself to Russell Westbrook following a Celtics-Nuggets game, sparking discussions about his self-perception and competitive drive. (Sports Illustrated)
Analysis The shorthanded Denver Nuggets hung tough with the Boston Celtics but ultimately fell behind late in the game, reflecting on their resilience and areas for improvement. (Denver Stiffs)
Prediction Updated win-loss predictions for the 2024-25 NBA season, including the Denver Nuggets’ projected outcomes. (Bleacher Report)
Preview The Clippers will compete against the Nuggets at the Ball Arena at 9:00 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Tuesday’s Key Fantasy Basketball Notes
Jan 7, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) signals to his team during the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images | Sam Sharpe/Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images
Tuesday’s NBA action brought a mix of surprises and disappointments across seven games. The Phoenix Suns, despite their recent lineup changes, continue to underperform, raising questions about their strategy and team dynamics.
The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a significant setback, losing to a depleted Dallas Mavericks team. This loss highlights ongoing concerns about the Lakers’ consistency and ability to compete against even weakened opponents.
In a thrilling finish, Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks showcased his clutch abilities by sinking a half-court shot to secure a victory. Young’s performance was stellar throughout the game, finishing with an impressive 24 points and 20 assists.
Injury Updates and Roster Moves
Several key players were sidelined due to injuries or illness. Jeremy Sochan of the San Antonio Spurs is out with a back issue, potentially impacting his trade value. Jerami Grant’s facial contusion continues to sideline him, opening up opportunities for players like Deni Avdija.
The Philadelphia 76ers are facing challenges with both Joel Embiid and Paul George out, though not due to a back-to-back situation. This absence further complicates the 76ers’ season, which has already been marred by inconsistency.
Ausar Thompson’s absence due to illness raises concerns, especially given his history of health issues. While the exact nature of his current condition remains unclear, fans and fantasy managers alike are hoping it’s not as serious as his previous bout with blood clots.
Waiver Wire Trends
The waiver wire has seen some interesting movement, with Bryce Sensabaugh emerging as the most-added player despite missing a game due to illness. Ryan Dunn and Nikola Jovic have also seen increased interest, though their long-term value remains questionable.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Nuggets podcasts.
The Latest Denver Nuggets Trade Rumors and Questions Matt and Ryan break down a crazy NBA Trade Deadline and what the Denver Nuggets are currently looking at. They also react to the Altitude-Comcast dispute being resolved.
NBA West Squad: Luka Doncic Shocking Trade and the look Spurs with De’Aaron Fox The NBA West Squad Show tackles the seismic trade of Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers. Hosts from various Western Conference teams discuss the fallout, including potential trade packages other teams could have offered for Doncic.
Are the Nuggets Content At the Trade Deadline? | Nuggets Beat Pelicans | Luka Trade Afterthoughts The Denver Nuggets beat the New Orleans Pelicans by 12 and MPJ has his best game of the year. Are the Nuggets content to stand pat at the deadline?
