The Denver Nuggets have officially beaten the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of the NBA playoffs in six games. It was a gutsy series win for an injury-riddled roster that just doesn’t know how to quit.
Denver came out victorious without Jamal Murray, Will Barton, or PJ Dozier, all key rotation pieces for the backcourt.
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In light of the injuries, head coach Michael Malone has looked further down the bench to find contributors as well as get some help in late-season pickups like Austin Rivers.
Even two-way player Markus Howard is getting a fair share of minutes (and shots). The only other player in these playoffs on a two-way contract and serious minutes is Garrison Matthews for the Washington Wizards. The Wizards just scraped into the playoffs, Denver has title aspirations.
As the saying goes, necessity is the mother of invention and an injury to one or more players has opened up playing time and opportunities for others to shine. This article is looking at players who have grasped that opportunity and might’ve even just earned themselves a roster spot for next season.