Draymond Green Blasts NBA's Decision to Postpone Warriors vs. Nuggets on Twitter
Dec 30, 2021
PHOENIX, AZ - DECEMBER 25: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors looks on during the game against the Phoenix Suns on December 25, 2021 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)
The NBA postponed Thursday's scheduled matchup between the Golden State Warriors and Denver Nuggets due to the Nuggets being unable to dress eight healthy players amid a number of injuries and COVID-19 issues.
And Warriors star Draymond Green is nothappy about it:
How do you continue to cancel games when you’ve implemented rules to prevent this from happening? Is that not a competitive advantage for other teams? The guys we didn’t have due to the protocol list played no role in Tuesdays loss? Pick a side but don’t straddle the fence.
So when the game is rescheduled(which will probably take a day away from our “break”), we wil play them at full strength… But they got to sneak a win when we weren’t at full strength, only two days ago??? Let’s make it make some sense here.
On Thursday, the Nuggets reportedly placed head coach Mike Malone, two assistant coaches and players Jeff Green, Zeke Nnaji and Bones Hyland in the NBA's health and safety protocols, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
The team also had a number of players questionable to play because of injuries, including Monte Morris, Aaron Gordon, Austin Rivers and Vlatko Cancar.
The Nuggets also don't have a G League affiliate, making it difficult for them to quickly call up players for Thursday night's game.
That marked the 11th NBA game postponed this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the omicron variant. According to NBA writer Marc Stein, 100 replacement players have already been signed this season in the league's new roster rules for the pandemic.
Those rules allow teams to sign a replacement player for every rostered player who ends up in the league's health and safety protocols, and requires at least one player be signed for two players in the protocols, two signees for every three players in the protocols, three for every four in the protocols, etc.
With the Nuggets unable to add the necessary replacement players before Thursday's game, however, the contest was called off, much to Green's chagrin.
Warriors vs. Nuggets Postponed Because of Denver's COVID-19 Outbreak
Dec 30, 2021
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 05: The Denver Nuggets logo on the shorts of Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets during the fourth quarter during their game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on March 05, 2020 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
The NBA postponed Thursday's game between the Golden State Warriors and the Denver Nuggets.
The Nuggets were racing against the clock leading up to the 9:30 p.m. ET tipoff in order to have the minimum eight players required to play.
No idea if they'd consider this, but not sure what's stopping the #Nuggets from ruling out their questionable guys and calling it a wrap, regardless of the testing statuses of their available guys. https://t.co/xq3fw0tTOk
Warriors star Draymond Green spoke about his frustration with the situation:
How do you continue to cancel games when you’ve implemented rules to prevent this from happening? Is that not a competitive advantage for other teams? The guys we didn’t have due to the protocol list played no role in Tuesdays loss? Pick a side but don’t straddle the fence.
Denver's next game is Saturday at the Houston Rockets.
Thursday's postponement doesn't come as a surprise after ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Nuggets head coach Michael Malone and two of his assistants entered the health and safety protocols. The team also lost Jeff Green and Zeke Nnaji and guard Bones Hyland for the same reason.
This is Denver's first postponement because of COVID-related problems within its own roster. A Dec. 19 clash with the Brooklyn Nets will need to be rescheduled because the Nets couldn't field eight available players.
Eleven games around the NBA have been postponed in total.
Commissioner Adam Silver told ESPN's Malika Andrews on Dec. 21 the league hadn't yet engaged in any serious conversations about pausing the season.
Commissioner Adam Silver joined NBA Today to talk about COVID in the league as Christmas Day approaches.
As Green alluded to, the NBA is instead adapting on the fly.
The league and players' union agreed to amend the return-to-play protocols and lessened the minimum quarantine period from 10 days to six. Players and coaches who are asymptomatic and fulfill testing requirements can leave isolation after six days.
The step came after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention halved their recommended isolation window for asymptomatic carriers.
Report: Michael Malone Enters COVID Protocols; David Adelman to Be Nuggets' Acting HC
Dec 30, 2021
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 26: Head coach Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets reacts to a play during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena on December 26, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
The Denver Nuggets will be without head coach Michael Malone for at least the next three games.
Per Mike Singer of the Denver Post, Malone entered the NBA's health and safety protocols Thursday.
Singer noted assistant David Adelman will serve as Denver's head coach until Malone can return.
Per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Nuggets "may have trouble" getting the league-mandated eight players necessary to play Thursday's game against the Golden State Warriors after Jeff Green, Bones Hyland and Zeke Nnaji also entered the protocol.
Monte Morris, Aaron Gordon and Bol Bol all missed Tuesday's game against the Warriors with minor injuries. Morris (knee), Gordon (hamstring) and Vlatko Cancar (illness) are listed as questionable for Thursday.
The NBA adjusted its COVID protocols earlier this week to potentially give players and coaches a shorter timetable to return.
In a league memo issued to all 30 teams and obtained by Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press, the isolation period for anyone who tests positive has been reduced from 10 days to six days—provided they "are asymptomatic and meet other testing standards."
Denver is scheduled to host the Warriors on Thursday before playing a two-game road trip against the Houston Rockets (Jan. 1) and Dallas Mavericks (Jan. 3).
Malone, Green, Hyland and Nnaji are the only four members of the Nuggets in the protocol, according to an updated list from CBS Sports' James Herbert.
The earliest that quartet will be allowed to return if they are asymptomatic and test negative is Jan. 5. Denver is scheduled to host the Utah Jazz on that night.
Malone is in his seventh season as Nuggets head coach. The 50-year-old has led them to the playoffs in each of the past three seasons, including an appearance in the 2020 Western Conference Finals.
The Nuggets are fifth in the Western Conference standings with a 17-16 record. They are coming off back-to-back wins over the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State.
Nikola Jokic's Game-Saving Block Gives Nuggets Win vs. Steph Curry, Warriors
Dec 29, 2021
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) shoots against Golden State Warriors center Kevon Looney (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
The Golden State Warriors nearly overcame a 24-point halftime deficit, but the visiting Denver Nuggets held on to earn an 89-86 upset victory on Tuesday in San Francisco's Chase Center.
Denver led 31-16 after one quarter and 60-36 at halftime before its offense completely shut down in the final two quarters.
The Warriors steadily chipped away and tied the game at 84 following a Gary Payton II dunk with 1:04 left.
Will Barton then put Denver up for good with a putback layup.
A Stephen Curry three-pointer in response did not connect, and Barton responded with two free throws for an 88-84 Denver edge.
The Warriors didn't go away quietly. An Andrew Wiggins dunk led to an Otto Porter Jr. strip of Nikola Jokic, giving the Warriors a chance to tie or take the lead in the closing seconds.
However, Jokic blocked a Jonathan Kuminga game-tying layup attempt.
The Warriors then fouled Facundo Campazzo, who hit 1-of-2 free throws. Golden State called timeout to move the ball up court, but an Andre Iguodala three-point attempt for the tie fell short.
The Nuggets were shorthanded going into this game:
Monte Morris (left knee soreness), Aaron Gordon (left hamstring soreness), and Vlatko Čančar (Non-COVID illness) are OUT for tonight's game.#MileHighBasketball
The 27-7 Warriors' three-game win streak snapped in defeat. The 17-16 Nuggets have won two straight.
Notable Performances
Denver C Nikola Jokic: 22 points, 18 rebounds, 4 steals
Denver F Will Barton: 21 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds
Golden State G Stephen Curry: 23 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds
Golden State F Andrew Wiggins: 21 points, 8 rebounds
Jokic Continues to Crush the NBA
There is no better player in the NBA right now than Jokic, who proved once again Tuesday that he's the league's most efficient and versatile player.
The significantly shorthanded Nuggets have a winning record despite missing 20-point-a-game scorer Jamal Murray all season, and that's because Jokic is on an historical tear.
His 32.7 player efficiency rating entering Tuesday is No. 1 all time, ahead of Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2019-20 (31.86) and Wilt Chamberlain in 1962-63 (31.82). We'll find out if Jokic is able to sustain that over an entire season, but we're nearly at the halfway point of this one, and he only seems to be improving.
He's also been tearing it up late in particular, with the reigning NBA MVP averaging 25.7 points and 20.3 rebounds in his last three games.
With the Warriors completely wresting momentum out of the Nuggets' hands, Jokic grabbed an offensive rebound and put home a bucket for an 82-74 lead after Golden State had scored 13 of the previous 17 points:
And then there was Jokic's game-saving block, made more remarkable by the fact that he committed a turnover just seconds before and had to compose himself, rush back on defense and cut off the baseline just in time to prevent the game-tying shot.
In the end, Jokic did enough to lead Denver to victory over the NBA's top team, garnering hope that the Nuggets can push away from the middle of the league standings.
Curry, Warriors Fight Hard Until End
Neither team was anywhere remotely close to full strength.
Both superstars (Curry and Jokic) were missing some trusty sidekicks (Gordon and Green) and are still waiting on returns for some stellar guards rehabbing knee and leg injuries (Jamal Murray and Klay Thompson).
That's in addition to everyone else currently in health and safety protocols or working their way back from other ailments.
Therefore, it wasn't a big surprise that two normally gifted and talented offensive teams found themselves unable to even hit 90 points on Tuesday. Somehow, Denver won this game despite only scoring 14 points in the third and 15 in the fourth.
It was an off-night for the Warriors all around though. They committed 17 turnovers and shot just 10-of-31 from three-point range.
Curry went 6-of-16 (5-of-14 on three-pointers), and the bench only combined for 15 points. If not for Wiggins' 21 point night, this one may have been over early.
Still, the team didn't fold after going down 24 at the half, using their sensational defensive effort to give themselves opportunities.
The ball movement also improved in the second half, like on this play capped by a Kevon Looney dunk:
Curry also got it going from deep in the fourth as Denver struggled to score, hitting a trio of clutch threes en route to scoring 12 straight for Golden State:
Ultimately, it wasn't meant to be as Barton's big putback layup and Jokic's tough defense sealed the win, but the Warriors continued to show how tough they are to put away even when they are missing key personnel.
What's Next?
Denver will host Golden State on Thursday at 9:30 p.m. ET at Ball Arena to complete their home-and-home series.
Nets' Next 2 Games Postponed; Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, More in COVID Protocols
Dec 19, 2021
BROOKLYN, NY - DECEMBER 16: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on December 16, 2021 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
The NBA announced Sunday that it has postponed the Brooklyn Nets' next two games against the Denver Nuggets and Washington Wizards,
The Nets have 10 players in the league's health and safety protocols amid a COVID-19 outbreak, with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving added to the list Saturday.
The announcement was part of a series of postponements amid rising infection across the league.
The Cleveland Cavaliers reportedly had five players test positive for COVID-19 on Sunday morning, while Hawks star Trae Young also entered health and safety protocols, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Several other teams are severely compromised, including the Los Angeles Lakers after head coach Frank Vogel joined six players in the safety protocols Sunday.
The Nets were forced to play extremely short-handed Saturday against the Orlando Magic, resulting in a 100-93 loss that ended the team's four-game winning streak. Brooklyn was without its top three scorers in Durant, James Harden and LaMarcus Aldridge.
Brooklyn is scheduled to play its next game Thursday against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Players need two negative tests at least 24 hours apart in order to clear quarantine and return to the team.
The Nuggets are off until a road game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday.
Isaiah Thomas Reportedly Agrees to Contract With Nuggets' G League Affiliate
Dec 13, 2021
New Orleans Pelicans' Isaiah Thomas (24) during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Brooklyn Nets Wednesday, April 7, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Isaiah Thomas reportedly has taken another step toward a return to the NBA.
Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported Monday the guard has signed with the Grand Rapids Gold, which is the Denver Nuggets' G League affiliate. Former NBA player Jason Terry is the head coach for the Grand Rapids.
There was a time when Thomas was one of the better offensive playmakers in the league.
The Washington product is a two-time All-Star who was a member of the 2016-17 All-NBA Second Team during his time on the Boston Celtics. He averaged 28.9 points, 5.9 assists and 2.7 rebounds per game that season and led the Celtics to the Eastern Conference Finals.
While that was his best individual season, Thomas has averaged better than 15 points per game in five different campaigns during a career that started in 2011-12.
The guard has played for the Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns, Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets, Washington Wizards and New Orleans Pelicans. He last appeared in three games for the Pelicans during the 2020-21 season.
While he is likely past his prime and hasn't played more than 40 games in a season since that All-NBA effort in Boston, Thomas is only 32 years old and could provide a spark off the bench for an NBA team with his outside shooting and ability to get into the lane.
Denver has dealt with a number of injuries throughout the season, and Jamal Murray still has not taken the court in 2021-22 as he recovers from a torn ACL. In theory, Thomas could provide important depth if he worked his way up from the G League by taking advantage of this opportunity.
At the very least, he could make an impression on other teams around the league if he plays well in the G League.
Report: Nuggets' Austin Rivers Enters Health and Safety Protocols, out vs. Magic
Dec 1, 2021
MIAMI, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 29: Austin Rivers #25 of the Denver Nuggets dribbles the ball up the court against the Miami Heat during the first half at FTX Arena on November 29, 2021 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets guard Austin Rivers will
reportedly sit out Wednesday night's road game against the Orlando
Magic after entering the NBA's COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
Shams Charania of Stadium and The
Athletic reported Rivers is expected to miss "several games."
The 29-year-old Duke product signed
with Denver in April to provide some backcourt depth for the stretch
run of the 2020-21 season. He re-signed with the organization in
September on a one-year, $2.4 million contract.
Rivers has played a limited bench role
to open the 2021-22 campaign. He's averaged 3.9 points and 1.4
rebounds while playing just 17.4 minutes per game across 18
appearances. He's shooting just 34.6 percent from the field,
including 27.1 percent on threes.
His absence is the latest setback for
the Nuggets, who've been without guard Jamal Murray all season while
he recovers from a torn ACL and recently lost forward Michael Porter
Jr. to a back injury, which will sideline him indefinitely.
Facundo Campazzo, who could take on a
larger reserve role with Rivers out, said Sunday the team must create
a defensive focus with key players sidelined.
"The best way to hide our injuries is
to play with more hustle, with more energy, with more smarts, with
more focus," Campazzo told reporters. "We have the key. It's all
about want, wish. I think defense is just trying to be focused and
put 200 percent right now because of the injuries."
P.J. Dozier, Bones Hyland and Markus
Howard are among the other guards who may see more playing time in
the short term.
Meanwhile, a timetable for Rivers'
return isn't known, but the Nuggets are in a dense part of the
schedule. They are in the midst of a seven-game road trip and will
play five games in the next nine days starting against Orlando on
Wednesday.
Rivers will likely return to a bench
role once he clears protocols.
Nikola Jokic, Nuggets Cruise Past Heat as Jimmy Butler Sits with Tailbone Injury
Nov 30, 2021
MIAMI, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 29: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets dribbles the ball up the court against the Miami Heat during the first half at FTX Arena on November 29, 2021 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
The Denver Nuggets snapped a six-game losing streak with a 120-111 win over the Miami Heat on Monday at FTX Arena.
This was the first meeting between the two teams since Nikola Jokic's shove of Markieff Morris that resulted in a one-game suspension for the reigning MVP.
Longtime Heat forward Udonis Haslem said any drama stemming from the incident was done.
"You're talking to somebody who has seen everything but the wind," he said to the Miami Herald's Anthony Chiang. "I've seen it all. That's over with."
The Jokic brothers were in attendance, but the game unfolded with minimal drama. Denver took control early on and didn't relent as it coasted to a straightforward victory.
Notable Performers
Nikola Jokic, C, Nuggets: 24 points (9-14 FG; 1-2 3PT), 15 rebounds, seven assists, one steal
Aaron Gordon, PF, Nuggets: 20 points (6-11 FG; 2-4 3PT), four rebounds, five assists
Denver's recent slide was partially because of Jokic missing the last four games with a right wrist sprain.
Jamal Murray is recuperating from a torn ACL, Michael Porter Jr. is dealing with a back injury that will require surgery, and P.J. Dozier was lost for the year to a torn ACL. Not surprisingly, the injury-ravaged Nuggets are at least a little more formidable when Jokic is manning the paint.
The 6'11" center was excellent on Monday, and situations like this help underline his value to the franchise.
It’s rather hilarious how some tried to question Nikola Jokic’s MVP, when it’s been clear for a while how his mere presence on the floor makes everyone around him better. Then, you have a game like this, where you know his competitiveness is raging, like, “You ain’t punkin’ me.”
Denver slipped to 10th in the Western Conference thanks to its downturn in form. Another top-four challenge will be tough without Murray, Porter and Dozier, but things are at least looking a little better with Jokic healthy.
Shorthanded Heat Unable to Climb out of Early Hole
Whereas the Nuggets welcomed back their best player, the Heat were without theirs. A tailbone injury took Jimmy Butler out the lineup. Compounding matters, Tyler Herro (illness) and Markieff Morris (neck) were unavailable as well.
Miami got solid contributions from Bam Adebayo and Kyle Lowry.
Unfortunately for head coach Erik Spoelstra, he didn't have the horses to keep pace with Denver. At halftime, the Nuggets held a 20-point lead, 63-43, and their hot shooting the rest of the way nullified any progress the Heat were making.
End of third quarter: Nuggets 95, Heat 78. Miami scored 35 points in the third but could not trim much off its deficit because of Denver's 8-of-14 three-point shooting in the period.
Spoelstra and his staff can probably identify plenty of defensive breakdowns from Monday, but sometimes it's just not your night. If anything, he might take some satisfaction from his players outscoring Denver 68-57 in the second half.
What's Next?
The Heat and Nuggets are both back in action Wednesday. Denver tips off at 7 p.m. ET against the Orlando Magic, while Miami's clash with the Cleveland Cavaliers is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
Nuggets' Michael Porter Jr. to Have Back Surgery; Reportedly Out for Rest of Season
Nov 29, 2021
Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. (1) handles the ball in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)
The Denver Nuggets will reportedly be without Michael Porter Jr. for the rest of the season.
Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported the forward will undergo back surgery that will sideline him for the remainder of the 2021-22 campaign. Charania noted both sides are taking a "big-picture approach" since Porter's five-year contract extension starts next season.
Porter's agent, Mark Bartelstein, told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski the lower-back surgery will take place Wednesday, and the expectation is he will make a full recovery.
Back concerns are nothing new for the 23-year-old.
He played just three games during his only college season at Missouri after injuring his back in the season opener and undergoing surgery, which didn't allow the highly regarded recruit to fulfill expectations at that level.
It didn't stop the Nuggets from selecting him with a first-round pick (14th overall) in the 2018 NBA draft, but he missed his rookie season because of a second back surgery before the campaign.
Porter appeared in 55 games in 2019-20 and 61 games in 2020-21 but will play just nine games this season assuming he doesn't make an unexpected return.
"He's 23 years old," teammate Austin Rivers told reporters Nov. 15. "He's gotta take care of himself and get himself right physically and that way mentally he can come to the court playing the way that we know he can play. He's playing hurt this whole season. It's hard to do that. Hopefully, he comes back soon because he's a huge part of our team."
This is another setback for a Nuggets team that has dealt with plenty this season.
Jamal Murray is yet to take the court as he recovers from a torn ACL, P.J. Dozier suffered a torn ACL during a loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday, and reigning MVP Nikola Jokic has not played since Nov. 18 due to a wrist injury.
The result has been an inconsistent season and a 9-10 record, placing Denver 10th in the Western Conference.
Nuggets' P.J. Dozier's Knee Injury vs. Blazers Diagnosed as Torn ACL
Nov 24, 2021
PORTLAND, OREGON - NOVEMBER 23: P.J. Dozier #35 of the Denver Nuggets reacts after sustaining an injury during the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on November 23, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets guard P.J. Dozier suffered a torn ACL in Tuesday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers, the Nuggets announced on Wednesday evening.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski previously reported Dozier would undergo further evaluation Wednesday but initial tests signaled it is a season-ending injury.
The fifth-year guard had two points and two rebounds in four minutes before exiting Tuesday night. He's averaging 5.4 points and 3.5 rebounds through the first 18 games of the 2021-22 season.
The Nuggets are already playing without Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., neither of whom have a timetable for a return. Murray is recovering from his own ACL tear, while Porter is dealing with a back injury. Nikola Jokic has also missed the Nuggets' last three games with a wrist injury, but he's likely to be back soon.
While the absences of Murray and Porter leave Jokic shouldering a significant offensive burden, Dozier's absence would be a major blow to the Nuggets' perimeter defense. Will Barton and Austin Rivers would be responsible for most of the minutes at the 2 moving forward if the MRI results confirm the initial diagnosis, and Jeff Green could also see a bump in minutes.
Dozier's injury could not have come at a worse time for the South Carolina product, who is set to hit unrestricted free agency next summer. It's likely he will miss at least part of the 2022-23 season recovering if he needs an ACL reconstruction.
