The Denver Nuggets have been decimated by injuries throughout the 2021-22 NBA season. Starting point guard Jamal Murray is recovering from an ACL tear suffered in April. P.J Dozier is going to miss the remainder of the season after tearing his ACL last week. He could very well be joined for the duration of the season on the sideline by Michael Porter Jr., who is set to undergo another back procedure.
That is a lot of depth and production to be without and the team had to weather four games without reigning MVP Nikola Jokic. Unsurprising, the team wasn’t competitive in some of the matchups without Jokic and they went 0-4.
Jokic made his return to the lineup on Monday night against the Miami Heat and he made his presence right away. The Nuggets won the game 120-111, snapping their six-game losing streak in the process.
The Joker was excellent in his return, scoring 24 points on 9-of-14 from the field with one 3-pointer. He also made 5-of-6 from the foul line while grabbing 15 rebounds with seven assists and one steal.
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It was a great performance by Nikola Jokic and one the Denver Nuggets desperately needed to stop their skid. Given how much of the team’s game plan revolves around Jokic, losing him was a blow that they could not overcome.
“Let’s be honest: this whole team is kind of built around Nikola,” Malone said. “He’s the focal point and centerpiece of our offense, and the same can be said for our defense. So, while he was out, we struggled. I think that happens on any team when you take out an MVP.”
With Jokic in the lineup, the Nuggets have a chance to win every night they stop on the court. He is that talented and the game against the Heat was just another example of how much better the team is when he is out there.
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While the Nuggets may not be considered contenders anymore this season without Murray and Porter, Michael Malone isn’t losing confidence. He likes the team he has and the goals are remaining the same despite the injuries.
“Our mentality never changes. That’s something we’ve prided ourselves on for years,” Malone said. “We’ve had a ton of injuries. This is the first time we’ve had to play without Nikola, which is a little bit different. But, no Jamal Murray, no P.J. Dozier, no Michael Porter Jr. for the foreseeable future.
“I love the guys in the locker room. I’ll go to war with them. Obviously, tonight was just one win. But after losing six in a row, by no means have we said, ‘We’re gonna change our goals now.’ There’s 62 games left, so much basketball to be played. So, you move on and play another day.”
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Denver currently has a 10-10 record on the season and is in 9th place in the Western Conference. There will assuredly be a lot of juggling in the standings as teams will look to avoid the NBA Play-In Tournament.
There is no reason the Denver Nuggets cannot secure a spot outside of the Play-In Tournament, as they are only a half-game behind the fourth-place Dallas Mavericks for homecourt in the first round of the playoffs. As long as Nikola Jokic remains in the lineup, the Nuggets will be a threat to take one of those postseason spots.
