Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets against the Nets despite the absence of the "Big Three".
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The Denver Nuggets wanted to make a statement after losing to the Memphis Grizzlies last Friday, so they won their third consecutive game today against the Brooklyn Nets. James Harden was listed as doubtful earlier in the day on Wednesday due to hamstring problems, and he didn’t play against Denver. This was the ideal moment for Nikola Jokic to strike back at the Nets, especially after their loss to the Lakers at home the day before. Steve Nash and his guys put up a strong fight until the last minutes with Harden watching from the stands, but Jokic and company still won.
Despite the fact that the Nets had a good first half without the ‘Big Three,’ Nikola Jokic, Will Barton, and Austin Rivers went fire in the third quarter. Despite only losing by one point in the final quarter, the third-quarter damage had already been done. It was too late, as the Nets suffered their second consecutive home loss.
If the Nets keep playing like this, they will almost certainly not reach the playoffs this season, and if they do, they will not go far. It’s like playing against teams with MVP candidates like the ‘Joker’ when you don’t have James Harden, Kyrie Irving, or Kevin Durant.
This is an @AustinRivers25 appreciation post.
25 PTS | 7 3PM@COHondaDealers | #MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/O7OQkf5xeS
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) January 27, 2022
The Brooklyn Nets have a 29-19 record after tonight’s loss and will play an intriguing game on Saturday. They’ll meet the Golden State Warriors in California, with a fully healed James Harden and Kyrie Irving joining them. That game appears to be one of the most anticipated of the whole weekend. The Nuggets finished with a 26-21 record and will face the Pelicans in New Orleans on Friday. Nikola Jokic continues to produce excellent individual achievements, but his squad continues to fall short of his expectations.
Denver is 2-0 on its current six-game road trip, which is the team’s second-longest this season. Between Nov. 29 and Dec. 11, the Nuggets went 4-3 in seven straight road games.
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Michael Malone, the coach of the Denver Nuggets, predicted that his club would struggle against a Brooklyn Nets squad that was without three of its finest players, including All-Star guard James Harden.
To upset the Nets 124-118, the Nuggets needed Austin Rivers, who scored 22 of his 25 points in the second half, and Nikola Jokic’s 26 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists.
It’s an every night type of thing for the MVP? pic.twitter.com/ECy9G5T2Yy
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) January 27, 2022
