It’s safe to say the Nuggets ended the stretch before the All-Star weekend in a slump. After losing back-to-back games in blowout fashion, they added on to that with another loss to the Sacramento Kings. After getting up by 16 during the game, they crumbled at the end and the Kings stole the win.
Going into the last stretch of the season, the Nuggets hold one of the easiest remaining schedules and only three back-to-backs. One of those back-to-backs come immediately including tonight against the Washington Wizards. Tomorrow the Nuggets face off against the Portland Trail Blazers. Although back-to-backs are tough, these are winnable games for the Nuggets. Winning both would get them back on track.
Getting Healthy
The Nuggets have been a relatively healthy team with no major injuries, but as of late, the small nagging injuries have caught up to them. Their starting guard duo of Jamal Murray and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope both missed a few games before the break. Caldwell-Pope suffered a hamstring injury on February 4th against the Portland Trail Blazers. He came back to play in the game against the Milwaukee Bucks, only to leave the game. He’s currently probable for tonight’s matchup.
Hamstring injuries can be reaggravated easily, as what happened with Gary Harris when he was on the Nuggets. Hopefully Caldwell-Pope’s isn’t anything serious and the Nuggets take it lightly. As for Jamal Murray, he suffered bilateral tibia inflammation, also in the game against the Bucks. His injury didn’t seem as serious as Caldwell-Pope’s, but he remained out for the last game before the break as a precaution.
The Nuggets need their starting five to be healthy. They have a 24-8 record this year when all five of their starters play, which is a pace for 62 wins across an entire season. They’ve been just as elite as they were last year when they won the title as long as they are healthy.
Giving the Bench some rest
The Nuggets bench is very youthful, which has led to some inconsistencies. The sophomore slump has hit Christian Braun at times and Peyton Watson has been off-and-on in his first year receiving real minutes. This all-star break will give them a little rest and allow them to prepare for the final stretch of the year.
Julian Strawther, who was out for a while with a knee injury, will have time to earn back his minutes. He lost some of his minutes to Justin Holiday while he was out, but there are 27 games for the rotation to be finalized for the playoffs.
A Break from Basketball
After being the team with the shortest offseason and a brutal schedule to start the season, this all-star break is perfect to get ready for the rest of the season. The Nuggets have played a ton of basketball during the last calendar year. With the Nuggets only having one player involved in the All-Star weekend events, it’s perfect for the rest of the team to get a break.
Nikola Jokic was the only Nugget at the all-star events, and it’s clear that he had a blast, especially with his good friend Luka Doncic. He didn’t give much effort in the game and used it as an opportunity to have fun. He was able to get a few days rest before the Nuggets start up their season again.
