It was shaping up to be the deepest team the Nuggets had built around Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. It still could be, but in the 13 games since the Joker has returned from a knee injury, you'd be hard-pressed to make that statement. And for good reason. As Tim MacMahon pointed out on the newest Brian Windhorst and the Hoop Collective, there isn't anyone else to hit the late shots.
Opposing teams have been focusing on Jokic and Murray. MacMahon put it bluntly, "The way teams are loading up against it, they’re making other guys take shots," he said of the two-man game between the pair. He heaped praise on the All-Star duo, "They’re maybe the best two-man game in the history of the league."
Unfortunately, for Jokic, Murray, and Nuggets fans, the depth is alarmingly shallow all of a sudden, especially in the clutch. "Cam Johnson missed a clean look at what could have been a winning three," MacMahon said, highlighting struggles in the clutch by the supporting cast. Johnson is just 1-8 from the floor in the clutch this year.
The Nuggets hurt without Jokic and Murray
"They’re getting hurt when they’re off the court," Windy said in reference to the Nuggets woes when the second unit comes on. The Nuggets got their doors blown off to start the second quarter against the T-Wolves, a sequence head coach David Adelman called "horrendous." Neither Jokic nor Murray was on the floor.
Windhorst made sure to note that the Nuggets couldn't keep taking the dynamic duo off the court together. He suggested a stagger, so that at least one of the court leaders would be on the court to help stave off any run that pops up. "He’s going to have to change his rotation," said Windhorst, referring to Adelman.
All signs point to a lack of depth that seemingly wasn't there when the team was depleted. The Nuggets went 10-6 with the Joker on the sideline, winning games with no starters present. They're now 5-8 since the three-time MVP has returned.
Windy and MacMahon voiced concerns about the team's health
Jokic's wrist problem isn't bad enough to land him on the injury report, but it's been enough of a problem to require ice and work like a boxer receives while resting between rounds when he's on the bench. We saw it during the Jazz game, and MacMahon noted some days "it's stiff as hell."
Which explains Jokic's recent poor shooting performances. "He’s been under 50% from the floor six times during these dozen games. For most guys, it's like, okay. For the Joker, it's shocking," MacMahon lamented.
If the Joker's going to remain in the lineup, "hurt," he may need all the help he can get. And that's right around the corner, with the expected returns of both Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson.
For the first time since mid-November, the Nuggets have a chance to be at full strength. Both players have been key pieces to the success the Nuggets have had this season, and their returns are welcomed by Nuggets fans everywhere. And I'm sure, Jokic and Murray, too.