Nuggets' Jamal Murray: Flirts with double-double in loss
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Murray posted 24 points (9-19 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 3-4 FT), three rebounds, nine assists and three steals over 38 minutes during Thursday's 126-124 loss to Portland.
Murray hasn't recorded a double-double since late November, but his three -game run since returning after a hamstring injury has been encouraging. He's averaged 24.0 points, 6.0 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 2.7 steals since returning to the first unit. His shooting percentages have also been on point over the three-game span. Murray has converted 45.9 percent of his shots since his return, and is drilling an eye-popping 47.4 percent beyond the arc.
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Nuggets' Christian Braun: Posts 13 points in return to action
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Braun notched 13 points (5-10 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds, one assist and one steal in 24 minutes during Thursday's 126-124 loss to the Trail Blazers.
Braun rejoined the starting lineup after a one-game absence, but his minute total was lower than normal. The team won't take any chances with Braun's back issue and will bring him along slowly. We may see a game or two where his usage falls below his usual 34.3-minute season average, but barring any setbacks, he'll return to his customary minute amount in short order.
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Nuggets' Nikola Jokic: Logs season-low five boards in loss
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Jokic closed with 34 points (13-18 FG, 4-6 3Pt, 4-4 FT), five rebounds, eight assists and one steal in 37 minutes during Thursday's 126-124 loss to Portland.
Jokic had an excellent shooting night, but the Nuggets were solidly outclassed off the glass in the loss, mostly due to Jokic's poor result in the category. Jokic has dipped below 10 rebounds only five times this season, and his inability to reach a double-double should be considered an outlier event. He currently ranks fifth in the league with 18 double-doubles, but he leads the league with 10 triple-doubles.
Nuggets' Russell Westbrook: Shifting back to bench
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Westbrook isn't starting Thursday's game against the Trail Blazers.
Westbrook drew a spot start due to the absence of Christian Braun on Monday against the Kings, but the 36-year-old will return to his usual reserve role Thursday night. He's been far less productive off the bench of late, as he's been held to 10 or fewer points in each of his last four appearances off the bench.
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Nuggets' Christian Braun: Officially available
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Braun (back) has been cleared to play Thursday against the Trail Blazers.
It was reported several hours before tipoff that Braun was trending in the right direction, and he's now been officially cleared to play following a one-game absence due to a back issue. He should be in store for a full workload Thursday evening.
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Nuggets' Christian Braun: Trending toward playing
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Braun (back) will likely play in Thursday's game against Portland, Katy Winge of Altitude Sports reports.
Braun presumably needs to get the final go-ahead from the medical staff, but all signs point to him playing in Thursday's clash after missing Monday's game against the Kings. The Nuggets should have the final word on his availability closer to tipoff.
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Nuggets' Dario Saric: Idle Thursday
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Saric (ankle) won't play in Thursday's game against Portland.
Saric's absence streak extends to five games Thursday as he continues to tend to a sprained left ankle. Saric plays a minimal role when the Nuggets are at full health, so his absence shouldn't have any fantasy impact. His next chance to play will come Sunday at New Orleans -- the first leg of a back-to-back.
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Nuggets' Christian Braun: Deemed questionable
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Braun (back) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Trail Blazers.
Braun missed his first game of the season Monday due to a back strain. He's at risk of missing a second straight contest due to the issue. If he were to miss, Julian Strawther and Russell Westbrook could see more minutes.
Nuggets' Michael Porter: Posts double-double Monday
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Porter contributed 11 points (4-7 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-3 FT), 10 rebounds, one assist and one steal in 31 minutes during Monday's 130-129 victory over the Kings.
Nikola Jokic and Russell Westbrook stole the show in Monday's tight win, but Porter made his presence felt on the glass after experiencing a relatively reduced role on offense. The six-year forward recorded his fourth double-double of the season, and even though this was a down game for him, fantasy managers shouldn't be worried. He's averaging 18.4 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game since the beginning of December.
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Nuggets' Aaron Gordon: Drops 24 points in win
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Gordon exploded for 24 points (9-14 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 5-6 FT), seven rebounds and two assists across 31 minutes in Monday's 130-129 win over the Kings.
Monday night marked only the third time Gordon has eclipsed 20-plus points this season, and the Nuggets needed every one of his 24 points in a slim victory over Sacramento. In 13 games this season, Gordon is averaging 15.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.2 blocks over 29.2 minutes.
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Nuggets' Julian Strawther: Plays well with 13 points
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Strawther finished with 13 points (6-12 FG, 1-4 3Pt), four rebounds, one assist and one block across 23 minutes during Monday's 130-129 win over the Kings.
Christian Braun missed his first game of the season due to lower back spasms, but the guard is considered day-to-day. Strawther has upside like he showcased Monday, and he could be on the streaming radar again if Braun is unable to play against Portland on Thursday. For the season, Strawther is shooting 46.7 percent from the field and 39.0 percent from beyond the arc.
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Nuggets' Hunter Tyson: Scores seven points
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Tyson accumulated seven points (2-2 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds, one assist and one steal in 17 minutes during Monday's 130-129 victory over the Kings.
Christian Braun missed his first game of the season due to lower back spasms, and Tyson was one of a few reserves to step up in his absence. Tyson matched his season-high mark of seven points in the win, but the workload wasn't appetizing enough to warrant attention for streaming purposes.
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Nuggets' Russell Westbrook: Sniffs triple-double
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Westbrook closed with 18 points (8-13 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 2-4 FT), nine rebounds, 10 assists and three steals over 35 minutes during Monday's 130-129 win over the Kings.
Westbrook finished just one rebound away from recording a triple-double, and the veteran floor general reminded everyone around the league what he can do on games when things are going the right way for him. Westbrook is averaging 14.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 8.7 assists and 2.7 steals per game as a starter, but his role has been inconsistent all season long. He's likely to head back to the bench if Christian Braun (back) is able to start Thursday against the Trail Blazers.
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Nuggets' Jamal Murray: Goes for 28 points, six dimes
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Murray supplied 28 points (11-26 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 2-2 FT), two rebounds, six assists and one block over 38 minutes during Monday's 130-129 victory over Sacramento.
Murray has been dealing with hamstring inflammation in recent days, but the star floor general doesn't seem bothered by the issue once he hits the hardwood if we look at his recent outings. He's reached the 20-point mark in his two straight matchups following a two-game absence in early December, and Murray is averaging 19.4 points, 5.8 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game since the beginning of the month. He seems to be trending in the right direction following a slow start to the campaign.
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Nuggets' Nikola Jokic: Posts triple-double Monday
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Jokic amassed 20 points (8-19 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 3-4 FT), 14 rebounds, 13 assists, one block and two steals across 38 minutes during Monday's 130-129 win over the Kings.
Jokic was coming off a 16-point, seven-rebound effort in the Dec. 13 win over the Clippers, and while that was a subpar line for his standards, the star big man didn't waste time bouncing back and delivering the numbers we've grown accustomed to seeing this season. This was his 10th triple-double of the season, and Jokic should be in line for another loaded stat line Thursday in a favorable matchup against the Trail Blazers.
