Nuggets' First Back-to-Back Without Key Players Shows Team Depth
David Adelman used a 10-man rotation in the Denver Nuggets’ first back-to-back of the season, missing Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon. Despite the absence of their second- and third-best players, the Nuggets dominated with a 117-100 victory over a depleted Indiana Pacers team on Saturday.
Strong Team Performance Despite Missing Stars
Denver, now 7-2, completed a flawless four-game home stand with balanced contributions. Nikola Jokic delivered a triple-double with 32 points, 14 rebounds, and 14 assists despite eight turnovers. Peyton Watson stepped up as a starter, scoring 16 points alongside seven rebounds and three steals. Another reserve added 17 points off the bench, keeping the team's momentum strong.
Home Dominance Continues
The Nuggets are undefeated at home (6-0) this season and have not fallen behind in any second half at Ball Arena.
Injuries and Precautions
Murray has been managing intermittent calf tightness for the past week, while Gordon was officially sidelined with a left hamstring issue. Their absences were cautious decisions given the Nuggets played on just 24 hours of rest.
“If you feel something that you know could turn into something worse, I think there is a little bit of apprehension,” said head coach David Adelman about Gordon’s injury status. “But he had some explosive plays last night. And Aaron’s a guy we have to protect in that sense … just because there’s just not that many human beings that are that big, can jump that high, can explode like that.”
The team's ability to perform efficiently without key players suggests a potential template for future rotations during congested schedules.
Author's summary: The Nuggets demonstrated their resilience and depth by winning their first back-to-back this season without Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon, highlighting a promising rotation strategy.