Nuggets' First Back-to-Back Without Murray and Gordon Shows Team Depth
In their first back-to-back games of the season, the Denver Nuggets won comfortably despite missing two key players, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon. The team, coached by David Adelman, relied on a 10-man rotation to secure a 117-100 victory against a depleted Indiana Pacers team on Saturday.
Denver improved to 7-2 overall and completed a perfect four-game home stand. The Nuggets remain undefeated at home with a 6-0 record and have not trailed in any second half at Ball Arena this season.
Key Contributions Despite Absences
- Nikola Jokic delivered a triple-double, scoring 32 points, grabbing 14 rebounds, and dishing out 14 assists, overcoming eight turnovers.
- Peyton Watson stepped up as a starter, adding 16 points, seven rebounds, and three steals.
- A bench player contributed a notable 17 points, further strengthening the team’s performance.
Injuries and Precautions
Jamal Murray has been experiencing intermittent calf tightness over the past week, while Aaron Gordon is managing a left hamstring issue. Both were held out as a precaution, given the Nuggets' first back-to-back with only 24 hours of rest.
“If you feel something that you know could turn into something worse, I think there is a little bit of apprehension,” said coach David Adelman about Gordon's injury status. “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.”
The Nuggets demonstrated resilience and team depth, adjusting well to the absence of their second- and third-best players.
Author's summary: The Denver Nuggets showcased their strong depth by winning back-to-back games without Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon, highlighting their resilience and effective team rotation.