The Denver Nuggets have been dealing with several injuries recently, requiring other players to play more significant roles. Head coach Michael Malone has taken full advantage by successfully testing different lineup combinations. Many players have stepped up and fit in nicely alongside players they haven’t spent much time with. Despite the injuries, the Nuggets have succeeded, winning six games in a row.
Michael Malone Is Taking Advantage of Denver Nuggets Injuries
Players Stepping Up
Injuries can make or break a team, especially to players teams rely on. The Nuggets have had several rotation players go down with injuries, especially recently. Aaron Gordon has missed over 20 games. Russell Westbrook and Peyton Watson have sustained injuries in the past two weeks. Michael Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray are dealing with minor injuries and have been in and out of the lineup. Without them, players without permanent roles have received playing time.
Zeke Nnaji has failed to secure a rotation spot in his career. Despite past struggles, he has stepped up in Watson’s absence, providing solid defense and efficient scoring. Nnaji’s recent performances could lead to an increased role even when Denver is healthy. With his defensive prowess, he could play himself into the backup center position by playoff time.
Jalen Pickett has also risen to the occasion. Despite receiving low minutes in his rookie season and showing few flashes of great play, he has received more chances this season. He has played 12 or more minutes in the last five games, all of which he made an impact. Although he averaged 3.6 points per game in that stretch, he has excelled with playmaking and taking care of the ball. Pickett added solid defense, leading to a combined +31 across the five games. He is second on the Nuggets in net rating for the season.
Finding Effective Combinations
With the recent injuries, Malone is experimenting with different player combinations, unlocking new options for the future. Surrounding Nikola Jokić with impactful, talented players is the key to unlocking his full arsenal. As one of the best offensive talents the NBA has seen, the big man has consistently shown the ability to improve his teammates. He is second in the NBA in plus/minus. Without him on the court, the team has struggled, especially at the beginning of the season when they were very reliant on Jokic. Malone’s lineup experiments have proved productive during the Nuggets’ recent win streak. In the last six games, Jokić is a plus-74, and the Nuggets have won their games by a combined 79 points.
Despite the Nuggets’ injuries, Malone hasn’t wavered once. He has played many combinations to find lineups that can thrive in the playoffs. He is riding the hot hand by allowing Pickett and Nnaji to play significant minutes with others sidelined. His coaching also opened up the offense of Porter Jr., who is on one of the best stretches of his career. Finding effective lineups and allowing players to thrive within their roles will be vital in the Nuggets’ pursuit of another championship.
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