The Nuggets hit a snag on their road trip, falling to the Memphis Grizzlies after a hard-fought win against the Philadelphia 76ers back home. The quick turnaround and travel seemed to take a toll, as the team struggled to find their rhythm. With the loss of an hour due to time zone changes and an early start, it’s clear that the schedule hasn’t been kind to Denver.
March has been a grind for the Nuggets, with 10 games in just 18 days, including four grueling back-to-back matchups. The Memphis game was a rescheduled affair from a January postponement, adding to an already packed schedule. The timing couldn’t have been worse, coming off a series of games against playoff contenders.
Travel fatigue was evident as the team arrived in Memphis in the early hours, with players like Nikola Jokic showing signs of weariness. Jokic, usually a pillar of consistency, tied his career-high with 10 turnovers, highlighting the team’s struggle to keep pace.
The Nuggets have faced more than their fair share of tough back-to-backs this season. They lead the league in these challenging scenarios, where the first game starts late and the next one kicks off much earlier. It’s a scheduling quirk that’s hit Denver harder than most, with three more such instances than the next team, the Kings.
Now, the Nuggets are at a crossroads. They need to weigh the benefits of resting players against the risk of slipping into the play-in tournament.
Balancing rest and readiness is crucial, especially with injuries already impacting their season. Head coach David Adelman faces a tough task: preparing his team for the playoffs while managing the demands of a relentless schedule.