Rumors

Vinny Benedetto: Peyton Watson is officially listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against Portland. G League assignments DaRon Holmes II, Curtis Jones and KJ Simpson are the only others listed on Denver’s injury report.

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“I understand why [fans] are frustrated about it, because they’re an X, Y and Z fan,” says Gilgeous-Alexander. “They’re playing against us, and in the past couple years we’ve happened to beat their team. And we beat their team because we scored more points. We scored points at the free throw line, midrange, three-point shot, free throw, everything. So I completely understand why they’re frustrated. Gilgeous-Alexander shrugs at the criticism. He averages 9.1 free throw attempts this season, fewer than Luka Dončić (10.3) and tied with Deni Avdija. He points out the only time he averaged double-digit attempts was in 2022–23. “And nobody cared,” he says, “because we were the No. 10 seed.” He isn’t bothered by the internet outrage. He just points out the numbers don’t back it up.

Sports Illustrated

“But you’ll never hear an OKC fan complain about my free throws. You’ll never hear a Denver fan complain about Jokić’s free throws. You’ll never hear a Lakers fan complain about Luka’s free throws. It’s just part of the business. But I love it, it creates buzz around the game. It creates rivalries. It creates energy. It’s what makes the NBA so fun. Honestly, the fact that they care so much is great, because they care, they watch it on TV, the TV deals grow, I get more money. It’s how it goes. That’s honestly how I see it. So I love it. It’s amazing. It makes the games more fun.”

Sports Illustrated

Josh Lewenberg: CMB is doubtful for tomorrow’s game in Denver. The hope is to get him back at some point on this trip, though Darko couldn’t guarantee it, calling him day-to-day.

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Protecting a 118-115 lead, Denver intentionally fouled Austin Reaves with 5.2 seconds left in regulation Saturday night. It was properly executed, a low-risk foul while Austin Reaves’ back was to the basket so that he couldn’t feasibly go into a shooting motion. The Lakers guard stepped to the line for only two free throws — decidedly not enough to tie the game. Or so the Nuggets thought. The one thing that could go wrong did go wrong. “That’s one in 100 in the NBA,” coach David Adelman said after a 127-125 overtime loss. “It happened. You give them credit.” Reaves made the first free throw then intentionally missed the second, launching a bullet off the front of the rim. The ball caromed to the left, beyond the reach of Denver’s two players stationed on the low blocks, and Reaves chased down his own rebound. Collecting the ball in stride, he buried a game-tying baseline runner with 1.9 seconds left to force overtime and eventually steal the season series from Denver. “I mean, it’s a really good play. A perfect bounce,” a frustrated Nikola Jokic told The Denver Post. “He got the ball off his rebound. He made a floater.”

Denver Post

Dave McMenamin: JJ Redick says the team hopes to have Marcus Smart (hip) available against Denver on Saturday. He added that Jaxson Hayes received imaging on his back, and the team is awaiting results. And that Maxi Kleber will miss some more time as he deals with his recurring lumbar issue

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Adelman said Denver’s third quarter was “arguably one of our best five quarters of the year.” Jamal Murray — 11 for 21 overall, 3 of 4 from 3-point land — led the Nuggets with 30 points. But it was Christian Braun who lit Denver’s fire. He scored 19 points, making eight of nine shots, including three 3-pointers in four attempts. “I think we jelled pretty well tonight,” said Braun, who is starting to look like he’s close to 100% healthy as he recovers from the ankle injury that’s cost him 36 games this season. “As long as we get on the same page before the playoffs is what matters,” Braun continued.

Denver Post

In his Serbian podcast appearance on X&O’s Chat, the superstar center has pledged his commitment in both life and basketball to the Mile High City. "I wouldn't like to imagine that. Even if we never win anything else after this, an organic title, it means more to me than anything," Jokic said as he was asked if he sees himself joining another team beyond the Nuggets. "I really found peace here. My two kids were born here. Everyone's here. Peace, home, I found my life here. And I like life here. I don't feel the need, I don't have the urge to. We built something here, together as a team."

BasketNews

Bennett Durando: Aaron Gordon officially cleared to play vs. Knicks tonight. Cam Johnson and Spencer Jones are also in. It’s the first time since Nov. 12 that Denver’s opening day starting lineup will play together.

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Bennett Durando: Cam Johnson (right ankle inflammation) and Spencer Jones (right shoulder strain) are out tonight for Denver’s back-to-back at Utah.

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Dane Moore: Denver was sending a second defender at Anthony Edwards when he crossed court in today's game. Asked Ant, who used to be really frustrated by that look, about playing through that type of aggressive coverage. "I'm not mad at all because, at the end of the day, my 4 is better than they 3. We're playing 4 on 3."

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Tim MacMahon: Asked for his response to these comments from Denver’s David Adelman, OKC coach Mark Daigneault spoke broadly about the respect the Thunder have for the Nuggets.

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Marc Stein: There's interest in Khris Middleton. I know Denver would love to get him. I think other teams have registered interest and it's going to be a matter of does he want to force his way into a buyout or does he want to finish the season as a Mav. The rumbles to this point, these are rumbles pre-tonight and I'm not going to sit here and ask him about rumbles, the suspicion is or the leanings were that a buyout was probably unlikely, but we saw that Minnesota maneuvered to get Kyle Anderson and so there are playoff teams that are going to come after him and try to convince Khris Middleton to push for a buyout.

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Aubyn Phippen: This was a really good win for OKC today. Cason Wallace will end the day with a double-double and Isaiah Joe put up 22 pts to help them get past Cleveland. OKC will be back at Paycom on Friday night against Denver. Final: OKC-121, Cavs-113

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