The Nuggets finally looked like themselves again.
After a flat stretch that had raised real concerns about their edge, Denver came out in New Orleans with the kind of force that has defined the Nikola Jokic era. They jumped on the Pelicans early, built a lead as large as 22 points and rolled to a 104-91 win that felt a lot more familiar than the team’s recent work.
The turnaround mattered because of what came before it. Denver had been missing the same energy over the previous 7 of 8 quarters, and that was especially noticeable in the prior game against the Golden State Warriors.
Against the Pelicans, none of that drift was there. The Nuggets attacked from the opening tip and never really let the game get away from them.
Their defense set the tone. Coming in, Denver ranked 26th in defensive rating, but this was the kind of night that can change the conversation fast. The Nuggets forced 19 turnovers, collected 11 steals and held New Orleans to 41% shooting from the field and 23% from 3-point range.
Offensively, the box score had the usual Jokic fingerprints all over it. He posted his 200th career triple-double with 21 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists. Jamal Murray led the scoring with 23 points and knocked down 5 of 11 shots from deep.
Christian Braun also gave Denver a huge late lift. He buried three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to help push the game out of reach after the Pelicans had trimmed the margin.
That part stood out for a reason. Braun has been abysmal beyond the arc dating back to last season, but his defense has been strong, and if he keeps hitting shots like he did in this one, he can become an elite or close-to-it role player.
For one night, the Nuggets answered the biggest question hanging over them: energy. That was the main thing fans wanted to see, and Denver delivered it. The challenge now is making that level of effort show up again and again.
In Other News...
Cameron Johnson Could Give Denver A Timely Boost Against His Former Team
Cameron Johnsons start in Denver has been slowed almost immediately by an ankle sprain suffered in the season opener, and the Nuggets have gone without him for the past three games. Now the veteran forward is at least trending in the right direction, with his status for the matchup against the Phoenix Suns moving into questionable territory.
Alpha Diallo is in the same boat after missing time for personal reasons, leaving Denver with more uncertainty as it prepares for a game that already carries some extra intrigue because of Johnsons ties to his former team. Whether either player can get back on the floor will be one of the key items to watch as the Nuggets sort through their rotation. [Read more 🡒]
Nuggets Rotation Suddenly Gives David Adelman A Tough New Decision
Denvers injury picture has forced David Adelman into a moving target lately, with Spencer Jones, Julian Strawther, Alpha Diallo and Cameron Johnson all unavailable and the rotation getting reshuffled around them. The Nuggets have had to lean on fresh combinations, and one of the most notable changes has been the rookie Trevon Brazile sliding into the starting group as the coaching staff searches for lineups that can stabilize the game on both ends.
Braziles role is only part of the dilemma now, because the bench also turned heads in the win over New Orleans. Marvin Bagley III and DeMar DeRozan gave the second unit real pop, and their play added another layer to Adelmans choices as the Nuggets look for the right mix once the roster starts to heal. [Read more 🡒]
Nuggets May Have Found The Defensive Answer Fans Have Been Waiting For
The Nuggets have already taken two games from the Pelicans this season, but the defensive feel around those wins has not been the same. One was a cleaner, more connected effort, and head coach David Adelman came away encouraged by the way Denver moved on that end of the floor, especially with its rotations looking sharper and the group playing with more edge.
A big part of that progress came from the energy of the young guys, with rookies Trevon Brazile and Bryce Hopkins giving the team minutes that stood out for the right reasons. Denver has been searching for a steadier defensive identity, and while one strong night does not settle that question, the latest performance at least gave the Nuggets something tangible to build on as they try to make that consistency stick. [Read more 🡒]