The Denver Nuggets started the season with the same issues they had last year — injuries to their starting lineup. The problem was temporary, and Denver now has an intact starting five heading into Monday night’s home game against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Denver swept a two-game road trip through New Orleans and Phoenix last week and welcomed forward Cameron Johnson back from a right ankle injury in a 127-120 win over the Suns.
Johnson was injured after logging 11 minutes in the season opener at Oklahoma City, making Friday night his first full game back. His return was overshadowed by Christian Braun’s career-high 31 points, which included 7-of-9 shooting from 3-point range. It was a welcome development for the Nuggets, who have encouraged their fifth-year guard to be more aggressive.
“That’s been his biggest improvement, honestly. Really the mental aspect of fighting through the misses,” teammate Jamal Murray said. “Telling someone to shoot it is one thing. Them shooting is another. But then to keep shooting it through the misses — first game, second game, and then third game he starts to make it — that’s why I’m happy. To see him just continue to shoot it with confidence and no hesitation.”
The Nuggets need Braun to take open shots and punish defenses for focusing on Murray and Nikola Jokic. The duo draws plenty of attention, and opponents have often left Braun open. On Friday, he made them pay.
“Those guys need me shooting them when I’m open,” he said. “That way in the playoffs, it’s easier for them.”
Portland is off to a strong start, winning its first three games and four of five overall, but the team took a hit this week when point guard Ja Morant sustained a hamstring injury that will keep him out for at least four weeks. Deni Avdija (24 points) and Damian Lillard (22 points) led the way in a win at Utah on Saturday night, while Scoot Henderson finished with 14 points.
It has been an inconsistent start for Henderson, who scored 15 points in the opener and 15 points combined over the next three games. A restricted free agent next summer, he has been thrust into the starting lineup with Morant sidelined.
Micah Nori, in his first year as Portland’s coach, has encouraged Henderson to play freely.
“I don’t want to say he’s like a Big Bro, because, you know, out of respect for him,” Henderson said. “But it’s almost like kind of an OG (original gangster) kind of relationship. Obviously, it’s only a few months in, but the moment he came in, he’s been like, ‘Appreciate you.’ And it’s been vice versa for me.
“I feel like it’s been a slow start, but I’m not going back down from the challenge. Just continue to be the best version of myself every night.”
The Trail Blazers are 3-0 on the road, while the Nuggets have struggled in their two home games. Denver rallied from a 23-point deficit to win its home opener against the Pelicans, then lost by 20 points to Golden State the following night.
