Nuggets' First Back-to-Back Without Murray and Gordon Shows Team Depth
David Adelman used a 10-man rotation in the Denver Nuggets’ first back-to-back of the season, missing key players Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon. Despite these absences, the Nuggets appeared efficient and decisive.
On Saturday, the team cruised to a 117-100 victory over a depleted Indiana Pacers squad. Even without their second- and third-best players, Denver (7-2) completed a flawless four-game home stand with strong contributions throughout the roster.
Key Performances Highlight Team Effort
- Nikola Jokic recorded a triple-double with 32 points, 14 rebounds, and 14 assists, overcoming eight turnovers.
- Peyton Watson stepped up as a starter, delivering 16 points, seven rebounds, and three steals.
- Off the bench, a player maintained momentum with a 17-point performance.
The Nuggets remain undefeated at home this season (6-0) and have not trailed in the second half at Ball Arena.
Injury Updates and Precautions
Murray has experienced intermittent calf tightness over the past week, while Gordon is managing a left hamstring issue. Their absences were mostly precautionary, as Denver faced just 24 hours of rest between games for the first time this season.
“If you feel something that you know could turn into something worse, I think there is a little bit of apprehension,” said David Adelman about Gordon’s injury. “But he had some explosive plays last night. And Aaron’s a guy we have to protect in that sense … just because there’s just not that many human beings that are that big, can jump that high, can explode like that.”
This back-to-back scenario without key players may serve as a template for the Nuggets, showcasing their depth and resilience.
Author’s summary: The Nuggets demonstrated their strong team depth by effortlessly winning back-to-back games without Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon, highlighting key performances and cautious management of injuries.