SPORTS NUGGETS SIGN YOUNG, GRIND PAST MEMPHIS
Denver ends two-game losing streak despite missing three starters
If the Nuggets are to withstand their brutal rash of injuries, it’ll be because players thrived outside of their natural roles.
Down three starters and navigating a shin injury to point guard Jamal Murray, the Nuggets (18-9) snapped a two-game losing streak and took down the Grizzlies, 10599, on Monday night at the Pepsi Center with their own version of grit-and-grind.
Mason Plumlee had a huge block and forced a steal late in the fourth, Monte Morris and Juancho Hernangomez nailed back-toback 3-pointers, and the shorthanded Nuggets withstood the slow grind of the Grizzlies with a suffocating fourth quarter defensive performance. The Nuggets added reinforcements by signing Nick Young, but he didn’t get off the bench.
Instead, the Nuggets were paced by their superstar, Nikola Jokic, who had 27 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in a seasonhigh 38 minutes. Morris also chipped in 20 points, including 15 in the second half, curbing the momentum and ensuring the Nuggets couldn’t use depth as an excuse.
“I think Monte Morris was MVP of the game,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. “He was phenomenal tonight.”
Plumlee’s double-double (12 points, 10 rebounds) provided a huge boost in the frontcourt.
“Nikola played great, obviously he sets the stage for everything we do,” Plumlee said. “Monte came off and played great, Jamal (Murray) really got people involved on offense . ... Nobody has to play outside of themselves. Our system is what makes us good.”
The Grizzlies scored 22 points in the first 5:43 of the third quarter to take a 72-65 lead and force a Nuggets timeout. From there, Morris surged to the bucket on a transition layup, knocked down a 3-pointer and reeled off nine points to give the Nuggets an 8483 lead heading into the final quarter.
The Nuggets returned home after a draining and debilitating road trip and were determined not to make excuses. The postgame locker room in Atlanta was tense after players discussed the need to take accountability, even
with a shortened bench.
“Road trip, (number of ) games in certain nights, I think the message was too many excuses,” Plumlee said. “Injuries, all that be what it may, I think guys just felt like (the excuses were) too powerful for that game, and it showed.”
Plumlee, in order to match up with Memphis’ versatile frontcourt, replaced Trey Lyles for his first start of the year. Until the Nuggets get healthy, it’s likely game-by-game matchups will determine the starters.
“I think all guys understand that with the injuries that we have right now, that kind of throws your lineup and your rotations out the window, and you almost take it on a game-bygame basis,” Malone said. “What matchup, what lineup, what personnel will give us the best chance to get off to a good start.”
The Nuggets were missing their two best defenders in Paul Millsap (broken toe) and Gary Harris (injured hip), severely compromising the Nuggets’ fourth-ranked defense. Though Will Barton is getting closer, the Nuggets will need to survive for the time being using a hodgepodge of rotations that occasionally force players out of their typical positions.
“The biggest challenge for us is, obviously having the amount of few bodies that we have, plugging guys in, and all of our guys right now are playing in expanded roles,” Malone said.
Though it’s a small consolation, the Nuggets’ upcoming schedule affords them a bit of a reprieve with just five games through Dec. 26. And Malone sounds optimistic that none of the injuries will linger for too long.
“I’m not a doctor by any means, but I don’t think it’s months,” Malone said. “I’m hoping it’s weeks. I definitely got my rosary beads out, trying to get those guys back as quickly as possible.”