3 things to watch: Denver Nuggets vs. OKC Thunder

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 14: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets drives to the basket during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on December 14, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 14: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets drives to the basket during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on December 14, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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DALLAS, TX – FEBRUARY 22: Will Barton #5 of the Denver Nuggets handles the ball against the Dallas Mavericks on February 22, 2019 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Darren Carroll/NBAE via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX – FEBRUARY 22: Will Barton #5 of the Denver Nuggets handles the ball against the Dallas Mavericks on February 22, 2019 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Darren Carroll/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Is this the game we hear from Will Barton?

There has been a lot of talk — and a lot of rumors — about lot of players on this Nuggets roster.

How will Isaiah Thomas mesh? When will Gary Harris be back to his old self? Is this Trey Lyles injury could be what does him in?

But seemingly lost in everything was Will Barton.

Since returning from a groin injury that sidelined him for most of the first half, Barton has slid back into his starting role at small forward.

He’s started every game since Jan. 25, playing just under 29 minutes per contest. But he hasn’t brought same energy he had early in the season, especially as of late.

He’s averaging just 8.7 points in his last seven games and hasn’t eclipsed 20 points since Feb. 2.

And while Gary Harris has played like himself since returning from injury and IT is starting to carve himself out a nice role, Barton has struggled to get going — granted the Nuggets haven’t needed him to lately.

He may not carry the workload he did at times last year, but he’s still more than capable of being a quick scorer who can make something happen late in the shot clock.

He’ll most likely have a breakthrough game soon, hopefully getting him back on track for the stretch run. If not, he may start seeing less and less playing time — especially late in games.