Nets vs. Nuggets preview: A Sunday afternoon event featuring MPJ

Two of the Nuggets wounded may return today but Denver remains devastated.

Summarized by AI ⓘ

What is the story about?

If you want to watch a play that pretty much summed up the entire game, just witness Bub Carrington making Nolan Traore hit the deck to end the third quarter.

Friday night’s 119-99 loss to the Washington Wizards was bad, but not to the point where it will ruin your day. We didn’t have our guys, what did you expect?

Today, there will be no excuse as Brooklyn will be taking on the Denver Nuggets, a team that has gotten way more medical updates of late.. Currently sitting at the third spot in the Western

Conference, the Nuggets don’t have much to lean on right now to continue their stellar play. Which means the Nets may have a possible angle to get back in the winning column.

it will also be the first time in his NBA career that Michael Porter Jr. will face off vs. the Nuggets. He was in Midnight Blue, Sunshine Yellow, Flatirons Red, and Skyline Blue the first seven years he played in the NBA. Hard to know how many of his former teammates will be there to shake his hand with the Nugs bizarre record of injuries.

Where To Watch

Catch the game at 3:30 p.m. ET on the YES Network and NBA League Pass, as well as streaming on the Gotham Sports App.

Injury Report

Nic Claxton will be out for personal reasons for this afternoon matchup. Ben Saraf, Tyson Etienne, E.J. Liddell, and Chaney Johnson will report to Long Island

Hold your breath for this one.

For the Nuggets, Nikola Jokic is still out due to a hyperextended knee, which is a godsend considering the fact that it could have been even worse.

Aaron Gordon (hamstring) and Christian Braun (ankle) are, questionable today for the first time in a while. Jonas Valanciunas (right calf strain), Tamar Bates (foot), and our good old friend Mr. Cameron Johnson (tight knee contusion) will be out as well, ouch.

The Game

On this date specifically, it has been six months and five days since Shams Charania announced to the NBA world that the Denver Nuggets had traded Michael Porter and an unprotected first round pick in 2032 to Brooklyn for Cam Johnson. Time flies doesn’t it. Since then, it’s safe to say that Nets fans have not really had reason to complain. MPJ has turned into statistically one of the best forwards in the game with averages of 25.8 PPG, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists, which are all career highs. Cam Johnson has not been doing bad on his new squad either, when he has been healthy. In 28 games played, Johnson has averaged 11.7 PPG on 46% from the field and 42% from beyond the arc. There will definitely be some hugs and handshakes waiting for Cam when he sees his former teammates … unless he stayed back in Denver to rehab.

For the Nuggets, it will be tough, but Jamal Murray will have to be present in all offensive possessions with the Joker being gone. While having a strong 34 point performance against the Cavs, Murray has been shooting only 40% from the field since Jokic went down against the Miami Heat. Murray simply has to make more shots in an efficient manner to keep the Nuggets in a decent spot while the Joker sits out. Players like Tim Hardaway will have to make shots as well.

Player To Watch: Peyton Watson

While it is obviously detrimental to have the Joker out, as well as Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun, Peyton Watson has stepped up as of late with back to back 20 point games against the Cavaliers and Raptors. A 6’8 guard from Cali, Watson is slowly transforming from a pure defensive stopper to an offensive weapon, still with menacing defense. Remember, he’s only 23.

So far so good but Watson may be playing only for himself at the moment. That’s what RealGM reported this week. It’s not likely he’ll be back.

Peyton Watson is increasingly unlikely to remain within the price range of the Denver Nuggets when he reaches restricted free agency next summer, according to league sources. Watson and the Nuggets did not agree to a contract extension before the season, leaving his future uncertain as he performs well in a contract year.

Watson’s strong play this season has elevated his market value beyond what Denver may be willing to pay. His defensive ability represents exactly the type of skillset the Nuggets should be trying to add, not subtract from their roster…

The Nuggets have a lot of high-priced talent.

From the Vault

Nikola Jokic won’t be on the court today, which is always too bad. Fans often circle dates when the NBA’s best come to town and the home team gets tested by the best. As a reminder what Jokic can do here’s video of his last triple double in Brooklyn early last season. If you love the game, enjoy!