Cam Johnson’s night ended early, and the Denver Nuggets’ opener got worse from there.
Denver fell 96-84 to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday at Paycom Center, a game that started reasonably enough for the Nuggets before the whole thing slipped away in the second half. The Thunder moved to 2-0 even after Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 20-point streak came to an end.
Johnson exited with 3:30 left in the second quarter after hurting his ankle while challenging a shot from Ajay Mitchell. He was listed as questionable and did not come back. In 11 minutes, Johnson scored five points and added two rebounds and one assist.
The Nuggets never found much rhythm offensively. Nikola Jokic struggled badly, putting up 13 points on 5-of-19 shooting while also collecting seven rebounds and five assists.
Jamal Murray had a rough night too, finishing with six points on 2-of-11 shooting. He chipped in 10 rebounds and three assists, but he also committed six turnovers.
Those giveaways hurt Denver throughout the game. The Nuggets turned it over 22 times, and the Thunder turned that into 21 points.
Oklahoma City got balanced production across the board. Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 17 points on 6-of-19 shooting and three assists. Jalen Williams paced the Thunder with 21 points, five rebounds, and three assists, while Chet Holmgren added 12 points, 17 rebounds, and four blocks.
If Johnson is out for a while, Denver may have to reshuffle its lineup. DeMar DeRozan could move into the starting five, with Daron Holmes II, Alpha Diallo, Bryce Hopkins, and Trevon Brazile in line for more bench minutes.
Denver brought Johnson in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets last season, sending Michael Porter Jr. and a first-round pick the other way. A knee injury limited him to 54 games, and he averaged 12.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists.
The Nuggets are back in action Saturday against the New Orleans Pelicans.
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Nuggets Opener Has An Unexpected Subplot Tied To The Thunder
The Nuggets regular-season opener against the Thunder already had a little extra edge to it, and the injury report has added another layer of intrigue. Denver listed Spencer Jones as questionable because of bilateral hamstring injury management, while Julian Strawther is out with a left knee sprain, leaving the roster with a bit less wing depth heading into a matchup that usually carries plenty of attention anyway.
Jones has been part of the conversation around Denver since the offseason, when his place on the roster became a talking point in its own right. With the Thunder also dealing with multiple unavailable players as they work back from surgeries, the opener still has the feel of a game where the margins matter, and the Nuggets will be watching closely to see how the latest lineup decisions shape up before tipoff. [Read more 🡒]
Nuggets Opener Will Put Denvers Shaky New Rotation Under Pressure
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David Adelman has already signaled that the rotation is still a work in progress, which means the first few games may be as much about sorting roles as chasing a clean result. Denver will need those answers quickly against the Thunder, because early-season experimentation is one thing on paper and another when the opponent is sharp enough to expose every shaky minute. [Read more 🡒]
Nuggets May Not Be Done Addressing A Backup Guard Problem
The Nuggets search for help behind Jamal Murray may not be over yet. NBA insider Jake Fischer reported that Denver had interest in Kevin Porter Jr. before Milwaukee waived him, a sign the team is still keeping an eye on ways to upgrade a backup guard spot that has been a point of discussion around the roster. Porter has long been viewed as a player who could give Denver more punch offensively than Tyus Jones in that reserve role.
Finding a path to him is another matter. Denvers salary-cap situation leaves little room for maneuver, and bringing Porter in now would require the front office to navigate a crowded roster picture while also managing the financial consequences of a move. The Nuggets can keep looking, but any attempt to add another guard would come with real complications attached. [Read more 🡒]