The Denver Nuggets dropped their third game in a row, losing 102-98 to the Sacramento Kings to wrap up their schedule through the All-Star break.

The Nuggets played stout defense throughout the game against a Kings team that was clearly tired on the second night of a back-to-back having played a contentious game in Phoenix the previous night. The Kings as a team shot 43.3% from the field, making just nine three-pointers and going to the free throw line 19 times. Sacramento scored 41 points in the first half, and it was clear from that moment that the Nuggets were in an advantageous position from an energy perspective.

Of course, it still took the Nuggets playing well to capitalize on Sacramento’s low energy, and they didn’t do that. Down Jamal Murray, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Julian Strawther, the Nuggets went deep into their bench to make it happen tonight, starting veterans Reggie Jackson and Justin Holiday while bringing two-way point guard Collin Gillespie off the bench. Jackson set the table nicely in Denver’s offense with nine assists. Holiday made his perimeter shots and played solid defense against the dangerous Kings backcourt. Gillespie brought energy off he bench, collecting two steals in his 18 minutes.

Unfortunately, that just wasn’t good enough for what the Nuggets needed from their backcourt.

Jokic had his hands full with Kings center Domantas Sabonis but defended the Lithuanian big man reasonably well. Sabonis accumulated 20 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists, but the problem was actually Jokic’s offense on the other end. Jokic did not have a great night offensively, struggling with his jump shot and only scoring 15 points on 6-of-17 shooting. Jokic missed all six of his three-pointers, including a couple key shots at the end of the game that would have given Denver life.

On one of his layup attempts, Jokic missed the shot, appeared to get fouled but didn’t get the call, then proceeded to earn a technical foul. Michael Malone followed up with a technical foul of his own. The Nuggets ended up losing by four points.

“It’s not just on Nikola because he’s the MVP,” Michael Malone shared postgame. “It’s on everybody’s shoulders to go out there and play to the best of your ability. I thought our guys played extremely hard. We gave ourselves a chance.”

Denver’s execution down the stretch wasn’t good enough, especially against De’Aaron Fox. The Kings closed on a 13-5 run, making plays in the halfcourt created by their star guard. Meanwhile, the Nuggets couldn’t hit the important shots to keep pace. Jackson and Holiday had easy looks off Jokic setups. Porter bricked a three at the top of the key. Jokic missed the aforementioned shots and did not play with enough force in the paint to earn Denver easier points. It just wasn’t a good game.

 Michael Malone dispelled any thought of Denver developing bad habits through this three-game losing streak though, which was good to hear.

“I think it’s ‘we’re not healthy.’ I mean, we have the best starting five in the league,” Michael Malone declared. “The last three games, we haven’t had those five guys together, so I think it’s more of that.”

Malone also shared that it wasn’t fun getting every team’s best shot as a defending champion.

“We have a bullseye on our back now, and for 82 games, we’re going to get everybody’s best. From a team in Sacramento or from teams that are down in the standings, there are no easy nights for us.”

The Nuggets may have a bullseye on their backs now, but it doesn’t fully excuse the lack of execution. There are questions to be had about the back half of Denver’s rotation, and the Nuggets are far away from answering those questions. Holiday started and played 35 minutes tonight as Denver’s spot starter, their trust guy. Why he played so many minutes is very interesting when the Nuggets are still trying to figure out their playoff rotation.

Christian Braun played just over 23 minutes tonight. He wasn’t great, but his minutes were solid enough that he probably should have closed this game to give Denver a look at what they need in a playoff environment. Peyton Watson played just under 16 minutes tonight. He wasn’t great either, but he needed to play through his struggles. On a night when Denver’s starting backcourt is out, Collin Gillespie should not be playing more minutes than a guy Denver needs ready for their playoff rotation, especially when Gillespie was worse.

The Nuggets have some things to figure out heading into and coming out of the All-Star break. That’s for sure. Losing streaks suck, and the Nuggets can make whatever excuse they want to for why it’s happening, but they haven’t played like champions ever since the Boston Celtics game last month.

“We’re Jekyll and Hyde,” Michael Malone shared. “Each night I don’t know which team is going to show up defensively. And that can’t be.”

Here’s hoping Denver can find more motivation when they get back.

Final Rotations