The Nuggets blew another game in the clutch, this time to a tanking Memphis Grizzlies team in what was sure to be an easy win after going through a gauntlet seven-game stretch against many of the league's top teams. The start of the easier part of the schedule, before the playoffs start.
Wrong. Wrong that thought was, indeed. The Nuggets dropped one they had to have, and they dropped some fans off the bandwagon with this latest loss. Not the team, of course, but just that they can't win a title. And they have every reason to feel bummed about this team, as much as they don't want to believe it.
It was probably the Nuggets' worst loss of the year. The Grizzlies are in tank mode and looking for a better lottery pick. The Nuggets lost to a team actively doing their best to lose, and still lost. It’s
embarrassing.
Many are pointing to a rough patch in the scheduling department, with a back-to-back and a two-hour time difference. But these are well-paid professionals who should be adjusted to some of those rigors by now. It's not an excuse for the loss, but it could have played a part in the Nuggets' performance for sure.
Jokic had a season high in turnovers
Nikola Jokic had a triple-double again, but this time, not the kind anyone wants. Jokic had 10 turnovers, a season high, and it matched a career high, too. The entire Grizzlies team only had 10 for the whole game.
It’s the latest in a troubling trend that’s seen Jokic’s turnover rate skyrocket since his return from a knee injury at the end of January. Prior to the knee injury, the Joker was averaging 3.5 turnovers per game. But a wrist injury that popped up has aggravated him, contributing to the poor ball handling.
Now, after this latest debacle, that number has blown up to 4.5 per game since the return to the lineup. That compares with a career number of 3.0.
The turnovers have got to get under control. This game almost certainly closed the book on Jokic’s MVP case.
The Nuggets missed Aaron Gordon
The Nuggets missed Aaron Gordon, who was sitting out to rest a recovering hamstring injury. They’ve been a different team with him on the court, and you could see the starting lineup looked out of synch from the start without AG.
The Nuggets are 19-9 when Gordon plays, with a 21.1 NET rating with AG and Jokic on the court together. That was definitely missing.
The Nuggets looked off against the Grizzlies in more ways than one. Sluggish, perhaps tired. Missing AG’s presence. The Joker had an uncharacteristically off night.
And the way the season has gone? You can’t blame fans for their admission, giving up on the championship hopes. But the playoffs haven’t started, and as long as the Nuggets have Nikola Jokic, I still think they might make some noise come playoff time.