Last night was one of the more embarrassing performances in Denver Nuggets history, losing to a Washington Wizards team that had lost 16 games in a row. Nikola Jokic called the team out publicly for the first time in a long time, and it was up to the Nuggets to find a way to respond.
Unfortunately, they were playing an Atlanta Hawks team that had won six games in a row on the second night of a back-to-back.
So, the Nuggets of course dominated the entire game in blowout fashion, winning 141-111.
Nikola Jokic put together a truly dynamic performance once again with 48 points, 14 rebounds, and eight assists, following up his 56-point performance from the night prior. There was nothing the Hawks could do to stop Jokic. Clint Capela, a player Jokic used to have some trouble with, posed no issues. The Hawks started Onyeka Okongwu in the second half, and that didn’t work in the slightest.
He also hit a buzzer beater three from about 45 feet away to close halftime.
JOKIĆ WITH A HALF COURT BUZZER BEATER MY GOODNESS 🤯
WHAT CAN’T HE DO #MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/KkwnvK9TsC
— AltitudeTV (@AltitudeTV) December 9, 2024
Around him was where the questions began, but the entire Nuggets roster brought it tonight, responding to the criticism in a healthy way by playing hard, playing together, and executing the game plan.
Michael Porter Jr. had 26 points on 12-of-17 from the field, tying his season high for scoring. Porter attacked the paint relentlessly tonight, and the Nuggets hit him on backdoor passes over and over again. He took advantage of the absence of Hawks forward Jalen Johnson, taking first overall pick Zaccharie Risacher to school of off-ball movement for a big wing. It was an important response for Porter.
Russell Westbrook with the block at one end, then in transition at the other, Michael Porter Jr. does his best Nikola Jokic impression as he slows his roll to lay it in and draw contact for the and-1#Nuggets pic.twitter.com/cvRArOCut3
— Joel Rush (@JoelRushNBA) December 9, 2024
Russell Westbrook, starting in place of the injured Jamal Murray, did a nice job early on of setting the table for Jokic and others. Westbrook also led the charge defensively for Denver, playing aggressive defense on the ball against Trae Young, who was stuck on just one point for much of the game. Westbrook finished with nine points, 11 assists, two steals, and an emphatic block of his own. He played hard tonight, a great leader by example.
Off the bench, Julian Strawther had 13 points and went 3-of-4 from three, which was great to see. The big story was Jalen Pickett though. In just his second game with rotation minutes this season, Pickett found a way to contribute in a moment the Nuggets needed him to show something. He played 17 minutes and was a +18, making both of his shots and putting together five assists. More than that, he played a bit more confidently, something of a bugaboo for him to start his career. You never know where the production can come from, but Pickett stepped up.
Sheesh, Jalen Pickett pic.twitter.com/YZw9YGzAy8
— Matt Brooks (@MattBrooksNBA) December 9, 2024
How do you respond?
It’s no secret how much pressure is on the Nuggets to perform this year. Last year, the season didn’t end the way they wanted. Rather than come back this season on an Avengers: Endgame-esque mission, the Nuggets were slow out of the gate and have never truly found a rhythm. It culminated in the loss against Washington in what felt like a true low point for the team and organization.
Adversity comes for us all, and it came hunting for the Nuggets on Saturday night. The great and terrible thing about the NBA? There’s always another game, always another opportunity to prove yourself.
The Nuggets used that as motivation tonight. They won the first quarter for just the seventh time in 22 tries all season, and by the largest margin of the year. They held a 23-point lead at halftime. Rather than let go of the rope in the second half, the Nuggets were relentless and built upon that lead to win by 30.
Were they perfect? No. No team is perfect. The great teams find ways to reach that pinnacle point as often as possible though. It’s something the Nuggets have barely done this year as a collective. Jokic has reached it several times, but the team as a whole needed a wakeup call.
Could this be that moment? Could the Nuggets be back on track? It’s going to take a while to figure that out, and the truth is: they’re going to need to earn back some good credit. Now that fans know they’re capable of these performances, the bar is higher for them to be more consistent night to night.
The other factor: the Nuggets will play just two games over the next 10 days. The NBA Cup will play out during this stretch, and the Nuggets will have a sizable break between now and their next game on December 13th.
In that time, perhaps Jamal Murray can get healthy. Perhaps the Nuggets bench can iron out some things. Perhaps a heart-to-heart of sorts was the best thing the Nuggets needed.
Time will tell.
Final Rotations
