Nuggets lose second straight without Nikola Jokic to Grizzlies

On By Littum

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Even without Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray insisted the team Denver fielded this week was a good team. Good enough that it should have won Friday night in New Orleans anyway.

With an opportunity to prove his point in a second straight game without the MVP center, the Nuggets fell behind by as many as 24 in a 105-90 loss to the Grizzlies.

Murray and Michael Porter Jr. combined for 23 points on a 10-for-27 day from the field, while Julian Strawther was the team’s only double-digit scorer until the fourth quarter. Murray turned it over six times as Denver (7-5) lost the first of two games in Memphis. The rematch on Tuesday will feature a different court to indicate the implications for the NBA Cup group stage.

The Grizzlies didn’t play with a fully intact roster either. Yes Morant missed his sixth game of the season due to injury. Without the star guard, their second-best options stepped up enough to blow Denver out. Jaren Jackson Jr. went for 20 points, six rebounds and three blocks. Desmond Bane delivered a flurry of late buckets to keep Denver at bay after the gap was briefly closed to 11.

Murray’s argument in the Nuggets’ defense on Friday was based on their execution of the offense until it was time to knock down a shot. He had a point. They had generated high-quality looks in defeat, largely due to Murray’s play against blitzes on the ball screen.

Shooting continued to be an issue on Sunday, but the half-court offense also seemed to lack sharpness. Denver leaned heavily on transition opportunities in the first half to avoid that, outscoring the Grizzlies by nine on fast breaks and by eight in the paint — highlighted by some mature finishing and passing by Peyton Watson. But it still couldn’t even get the Nuggets within single digits at halftime, and Memphis quickly racked up transition points after the half to open up a 20-point advantage.

Michael Malone, who was back after missing Friday’s game to watch his daughter’s senior year volleyball tournament, had no update on Jokic’s status going forward. He said he will “continue to check in on him; make sure he and his wife are OK. But there’s no news.”