The Denver Nuggets made a strategic determination to not solely bench most of its starters however not even have them board a airplane for Minnesota this weekend.
It ended as anticipated, with the Timberwolves rolling to a 30-point win on Sunday night time.
Now it’s Minnesota’s flip to be the customer, and Denver will probably have its prime gamers within the lineup when the groups meet Tuesday night time.
This would be the fourth and closing assembly between the Northwest Division rivals, with the Timberwolves profitable each video games at residence and dropping on the highway three weeks in the past.
Minnesota didn’t should take care of Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and two-time league MVP Nikola Jokic on Sunday, however at the very least three of these 4 can be again in motion. Caldwell-Pope suffered a sprained ankle in a win over Atlanta on Saturday night time and his standing for Tuesday has not been up to date.
The Nuggets’ determination to play short-handed Sunday night time was based mostly on warning and scheduling. The sport at Minnesota tipped off simply 22 hours after the beginning of Saturday night time’s sport towards the Hawks, and gamers are coping with bumps and bruises.
Murray (left knee administration), Jokic (left hamstring tightness) and Gordon (ankle) may have performed if it was a playoff sport, however Denver deemed it pointless for an early February matchup.
One participant was out there and in uniform for the Nuggets however didn’t get off the bench on Sunday night time. Bones Hyland, the backup level guard, performed simply 5 minutes towards New Orleans on Jan. 31 and has sat every of the final three video games. The NBA commerce deadline is Thursday and Denver could also be holding him out whereas figuring out a potential deal for the second-year participant.
“It’s a real sensitive area for everyone involved,” coach Michael Malone stated. “… Just trying to give him some space, but also let him know, ‘Yes, this is a business, but we also care about you.’ … I put myself in his situation, and it’s not easy.”
Minnesota has been with out one among its stars, Karl-Anthony Towns, since late December as a consequence of a calf damage and he received’t play Tuesday. The Timberwolves is also with out Kyle Anderson, who has left the final two video games with again spasms. Guard Austin Rivers will miss Tuesday whereas he serves a three-game suspension for his position in an on-court altercation with Orlando on Friday night time.
Despite the accidents and absences, Minnesota is presently seventh within the crowded Western Conference and sits simply two video games out of the No. 3 spot. Guard D’Angelo Russell has helped hold the Timberwolves aggressive however his identify has been floated in commerce rumours forward of Thursday’s deadline.
Minnesota did get a lift from the return of Jordan McLaughlin, who had missed 30 video games with a left calf pressure earlier than taking part in Sunday night time. He had two factors and three assists in 12 minutes, however his affect reached past the stat sheet.
“J-Mac always gets the game going, always makes the game fun,” teammate Jaylen Nowell stated in his postgame, on-court tv interview. “Gets everybody involved and it was great to have him back.”
