Nuggets even more battered, but miraculously survive first game without Nikola Jokic

The Nuggets took the floor for the first time this season without three-time MVP Nikola Jokic on Wednesday night, taking on the Raptors in Toronto. Beyond Jokic, the Nuggets were also missing Christian Braun, Aaron Gordon, and Cam Johnson, leaving Jamal Murray as the only healthy and available starter.

Things got even uglier shortly after halftime, as the only center on the roster behind Jokic, Jonas Valanciunas, who was having a great game, felt a ‘pop’ in his right calf and left the game. Now, it seems Big Val is set to miss some time going forward, making things even more cloudy for the Denver frontcourt.

And yet, despite all that, the ridiculously shorthanded Nuggets found a way to pull out a crazy 106-103 victory over the Raptors. They led most of the night and seemed to have the game sewn up, but with seconds left, Bruce Brown missed a pair of free throws that would have iced the game. 

With no timeouts, the Raptors quickly pushed it up the court, and Brandon Ingram attempted a running, game-tying three at the buzzer that somehow glanced off the backboard and went through the net, seemingly sending the game to overtime.

But upon review, the ball was still on Ingram’s fingertips when the horn sounded, and the shot was waved off. Denver escaped with a victory and avoided a dreaded extra session on the road with zero momentum.

Nuggets’ role players step up

Peyton Watson had a huge game with 24 points and 8 rebounds, Murray was steady with 21 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists, and JV was a monster before getting hurt, putting up 17 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists in just 23 minutes.

But this one was all about the other guys stepping up. Denver got great minutes out of DaRon Holmes, the rookie getting his first real run in the rotation. And it’s a good thing he looked good because he’s likely about to take on a much bigger role with the dwindling few big men options.

Jalen Pickett got the start and played admirably, as did Spencer Jones. Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. came off the bench and kept the team afloat, especially when Murray had to sit. It wasn’t always pretty, and it’s hard to tell how much of this is sustainable, but right now, it feels like every game will be a sort of survive-and-advance type of contest, at least until some of the cavalry returns.

Step one of the test was passed as the Nuggets got a tough road win over a solid team. It won’t be easy and won’t look the same on a nightly basis, but the most important thing is for the Nuggets to find ways to win games and to keep this team alive in the West standings. Every win mattress a lot, and starting post-Jokic life with a W was a huge deal.