The Denver Nuggets defeated the Charlotte Hornets 119-105 on Saturday night, breaking a four-game road losing streak in a game the Nuggets trailed at halftime.
Without Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, and Zeke Nnaji, the Nuggets were missing some important offensive and defensive contributors. They made it work with hard work and a high level of effort though, especially in the second half by allowing just 45 points defensively. Christian Braun led that charge with four steals, while Nikola Jokić and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope each had two blocks with the starters.
CB makin' some noise pic.twitter.com/jAlLQnlyk5
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) February 12, 2023
The Nuggets needed a victory after a poor showing against the Orlando Magic. Though they started slow tonight against the Hornets, the Nuggets kicked into gear and made the plays that mattered. This was an important win, and with only two more games to go before the All-Star break, the Nuggets have to focus in just twice more before they get a brief respite from an exhausting season.
Here are my takeaways from the Nuggets matchup with the Charlotte Hornets Saturday evening:
Nikola Jokić needed an MVP-caliber performance
The Nuggets weren’t at their best tonight, and being shorthanded, it was important for the stars to show up on the road. Nikola Jokić carries a heavy burden from night to night, and tonight’s performance highlights exactly how necessary his big time performances are.
In 35 minutes, Joker had 30 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists. He shot 11-of-22 from the field, barely keeping alive his streak of games shooting 50% or higher from the field. The Nuggets needed that level of effectiveness tonight, especially with the shots not falling from the perimeter. Jokić put the pressure on the rim, not settling for perimeter jumpers and focusing on attacking Charlotte’s young big guys. Mark Williams and Nick Richards are both incredibly athletic, but Joker used supreme timing, touch, and positioning to set up his offense and others.
That's 30 for Joker 🃏 pic.twitter.com/Tj5rP2O6K8
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) February 12, 2023
This was an MVP caliber performance from Jokić, even if it wasn’t his most statistically dominant performance. Jokić set the tone for the Nuggets, kept them in the game when the shots weren’t falling, and helped close the door on both ends of the floor. It was great.
Hustle is key on the road
It took awhile for the Nuggets to get into this one, but what really helped Denver survive a subpar shooting performance on the road was hustle. In the first half, Christian Braun made some important plays on defense and in transition to get the Nuggets some easy baskets. In the second half, it was Ish Smith and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope doing great things on both ends, breaking down the defense, getting hands in passing lanes, and taking charges.
To close the game, Braun got another steal and a “pick-6” for a transition dunk. The Nuggets defense closed out well and ran the break. Bruce Brown also got a “pick-6” for a dunk himself. It was a clinic in how important hustling can be.
The Nuggets shot 5-of-23 from three-point range tonight. They needed to do the other stuff outside of shooting in order to earn a victory, and they got it done in the hustle categories. Four steals for Braun in 26 minutes, 16 fast break points as a team, and 78 points in the paint. It was a flashing red light showing that hustle matters against most teams in February.
The Nuggets missed Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon
The Nuggets were without Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, and Zeke Nnaji on Saturday due to injury, and Thomas Bryant didn’t play due to arriving only a few hours before game time. With the Nuggets also now down a roster spot after the trade deadline and with Collin Gillespie’s prolonged absence, the only available bench players on Saturday were Ish Smith, Christian Braun, Jeff Green, DeAndre Jordan, Jack White, and Peyton Watson. They could have played Bryant, but after a day of travel, it wasn’t wise.
Jokić absolutely delivered, but Michael Porter Jr. scored zero points in the first half on 0-of-6 from the field. He finished the evening with 14 points on 6-of-14 from the field, a game after going 3-of-16 in Thursday’s loss to the Orlando Magic. The Nuggets needed more from Porter both nights. They honestly need everybody right now, but Porter especially. His bounce back in the second half was very important.
Murray’s right knee inflammation is a concern. Obviously, the Nuggets will default to caution in what’s being described as a “compensation” injury. They need Murray for the playoffs, and they need Murray to be as healthy as possible for the present and future. Gordon put up 37 points in Orlando, so he’s probably fine long term. His listed injury of (rib contusion) is a new one and speaks to the bumps and bruises of an 82-game season.
The Nuggets are perusing the buyout market for options to help their team, and if they find a playoff caliber option, they should try and sign that player sooner rather than later. They need the bodies to get them through the season.
Final Rotations
