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.
Nikola Jokic Might Be As Close To Perfect As It Gets
Jan 21, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) no look passes to forward Aaron Gordon (32) as Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) and forward Guerschon Yabusele (28) and guard Ricky Council IV (14) defend in the third quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | Isaiah J. Downing/Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
1. Pobody’s Nerfect: Nikola Jokic with another triple-double in three quarters. Joker with another game shooting better than 60 percent from the field and better than 50 percent from three. Joker with another game of plus-20 or better. This is the best he has ever been, and it’s maybe as close as we’ll ever get to a perfect player, offensively.
2. Strawn About: Julian Strawther with another great offensive game with 23 points on 8-of-14 shooting. He’s got the deep ball and the floater and is adding more shake to his game every night. Strawther’s earning his minutes now.
3. Bench Backbone: Aaron Gordon told Michael Malone before he returned from injury that if the team needed him to come off the bench because they were playing so well, he would. AG’s been great since he got back, and Michael Malone raved about his professionalism and selflessness.
4. Quiet: Jamal Murray and Russell Westbrook had quiet nights, combining for just 20 points. Westbrook would have had another triple-double if he had played the fourth, but there was no need.
5. Rest Up: This was the fourth straight game that Jokic has gotten to rest in the fourth quarter and somehow he’s still averaging 34 minutes a night in January. But the trend has been great for easing his workload.
6. Scant: Peyton Watson played just 18 minutes in this one and continues to see a reduced role despite better play as of late.
7. The Extra Pass; Michael Porter Jr. in transition had a layup attempt that risked a chasedown. He pumpfaked, then bounce-passed to Braun for an assist. A great play that shows where he’s gotten to as a playmaker.
8. Receipts: Christian Braun with another 20 point performance and a heads up that he bookmarks tweets for motivation. I would bet he’s got more than one of mine in there.
9. Woof: The Sixers are pretty broken and you could hear the screams of someone in their locker room through the walls of Ball that ajoin the visitor locker room to the media room.
10. Up Next: The Nuggets take on the suddenly surging Kings on Thursday at Ball Arena.
A midseason report for seasons to come: part three
Jan 9, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots against Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) in the second half at Little Caesars Arena. | Rick Osentoski/Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
I’m far from being an insider (mostly I like sleep too much, and those guys never do), but there’s information you glean just from being proximal to the game. There are trends in questions and answers from coaches and players, plus recurring conversations with fellow media, team staff, scouts and agents. When alongside the pulse of NBA basketball, you pick up its reverberations.
One big, undeniable beat I’ve picked up on this season is the growing awareness that vey soon we’re going to start losing perennial stars. I say “we” and not only the league because the realization really does feel collective. Case in point, when the topic of the Warriors dynasty drawing to a slow, potentially quiet close comes up, it’s never solely in relation to the team.
The decline of Golden State is always held alongside the state of the league as a whole, either what it means for competition or in broader strokes, how the mechanics of the game itself will change without a dominant Steph Curry. And that detail is never explicitly mentioned. Even the most primetime of pundits have a reticence to predict when we’ll see the last of Curry, as if giving it consideration is a kind of jinx.
The counter to that is LeBron James, who cannot be discussed enough in relation to his retirement, but that endless guessing feels safe because James has proved prediction wrong so many times in what were meant to be his quieting seasons.
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.
Biz Jalen Green becomes the face of his longtime favorite brand, Stone Island. (High Snobriety)
Analysis After a dominant performance over the 76ers, Nikola Jokic made a bold statement about the Denver Nuggets’ potential. His confidence in the team’s capabilities was evident, setting a high bar for upcoming matchups. Jokic’s statement resonates with the team’s ambitions. (Sports Illustrated)
Fans Denver Nuggets fans had a field day trolling Joel Embiid over his injury absence during the recent game. Their spirited reactions showcased the vibrant and passionate community supporting the team. Fan responses were both humorous and supportive. (Sports Illustrated)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Five NBA Players to Buy Low in Fantasy Basketball
Jan 20, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) stands on the court after meeting with Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) before the start of the game at the Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images | Cary Edmondson/Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
As we approach the midpoint of the NBA season, it’s time to reassess our fantasy basketball strategies. Today, I’m sharing insights on five players who are prime candidates for “buy low” opportunities in your leagues.
Paolo Banchero tops our list. The Orlando Magic forward is currently the 79th ranked player, well below his potential. His shooting percentages are down, and he’s only averaging 21 points per game since returning from injury. However, I believe Banchero is a top 40 player in points leagues and has room for significant improvement. Don’t be fooled by his current struggles – this is an excellent time to acquire him at a discount.
Next up is Evan Mobley. The Cleveland Cavaliers big man is dealing with a calf strain, which has impacted his recent performance. His defensive stats and usage are down, but this presents a perfect buy-low scenario. Mobley is a third-round talent you might be able to snag for a fourth-round price. While there’s some injury risk, the potential reward outweighs it.
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?
