Nuggets’ First Back-to-Back of Season Without Key Players
David Adelman used a 10-man rotation in the Nuggets’ first back-to-back game of the season, despite missing Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon. Even without their second- and third-best players, the team controlled the game with precision.
Victory Over Indiana Pacers
Denver secured a 117-100 win against a depleted Indiana Pacers on Saturday. The Nuggets, now 7-2, completed a perfect four-game home stand with strong contributions across the roster.
Key Player Performances
- Nikola Jokic recorded a triple-double with 32 points, 14 rebounds, and 14 assists, overcoming eight turnovers.
- Peyton Watson started and added 16 points, seven rebounds, and three steals.
- Another player came off the bench to score 17 points, keeping the team’s momentum alive.
The Nuggets remain unbeaten at home this season at 6-0 and have never trailed in the second half at Ball Arena.
Injury and Rest Notes
Jamal Murray has been managing recurring calf tightness, and Aaron Gordon was designated for left hamstring management. Their absence was mainly precautionary, as Denver faced the challenge of playing with only 24 hours of rest for the first time.
“If you feel something that you know could turn into something worse, I think there is a little bit of apprehension,” said David Adelman about Gordon’s injury. “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.”
Author’s summary: The Nuggets demonstrated depth and resilience in their first back-to-back of the season, winning decisively even without Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon, highlighting their strategic rotation and home dominance.
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