Denver Nuggets stars Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray sat out Saturday night’s road game with the Portland Trail Blazers due to injuries.
Jokic was ruled out with back and hip injuries. Murray was out due to a sprained left ankle sustained in the final minute of Thursday’s 113-100 home victory over the New York Knicks
Denver started Reggie Jackson and DeAndre Jordan in place of “The Joker” and the “Blue Arrow.” It’s the first time the dynamic duo were not in the starting lineup at the same time since Nov. 27 when they stunned the LA Clippers.
The Portland Trail Blazers started five rookies Saturday night against Denver, only the second time that has happened since starters were first tracked on NBA box scores more than 50 years ago.
Scoot Henderson, the No. 3 pick in the draft, was in the lineup along with Duop Reath, Kris Murray, Toumani Camara and Rayan Rupert.
That was the first time an NBA team sent out five rookies to start since the Golden State Warriors on April 26, 2012, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
The Denver Nuggets escaped the Moda Center with a 114-111 win over the Portland Trail Blazers despite missing Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. Reggie Jackson stepped up to lead the defending champions with 23 points, five assists and two steals.
Aaron Gordon was also huge for the Nuggets with 22 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and three blocks. Christian Braun came off the bench to add 17 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, three steals and two assists.
One would think Murray and Jokic’s absences would’ve provided the platform for Michael Porter Jr. to continue his hot streak. Instead, Denver’s sniper, who’s been on a hot streak since the All-Star break, took just 12 shots. He finished with 12 points on 5 of 12 shooting, including a 1-of-5 mark from 3-point range. He recorded eight rebounds, three assists and a block in his 35 minutes.
The game appeared to be headed toward a blowout when the Blazers fell behind by 15 points in the first half while on their way to going 0 of 12 on three-pointers during the first two quarters.
Unfortunately Denver’s sloppiness prevented them from taking control of the game with the quarter almost over.
The Blazers dominated the third quarter, making 6 of 8 threes, and trailed just 85-83 heading into the fourth quarter.
Jabari Walker tied the game with a layup within the first minute of the fourth quarter. Later, Scoot Henderson hit a three to give the Blazers a 91-89 lead with about nine minutes remaining.
The lead, however, was short-lived. After the quarter passed the halfway mark the Nuggets started tightening the screws and went on a quick run to put the lead up to ten. The Nuggets responded with a run that left them up 107-95 with 2:59 remaining.
Again, the Blazers came back to draw within 109-105 with 50.5 seconds to go. But the Nuggets made just enough free throws down the stretch to hold on for the win.
They kept refusing to die and played the free throw game to get it within two with under 10 seconds to go. Ultimately though the Nuggets got enough free throws to get the job done and put it to bed. Nuggets win 114-111.
The Denver Nuggets are set to return home after their win over the Portland Trail Blazers. The defending champions are set to welcome five teams from March 25 to April 2 as the regular season winds down.
If the Nuggets clinch the No. 1 spot, they will have homecourt advantage until the Western Conference finals like last season. The Boston Celtics are likely earning the homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs, including the NBA Finals.