news

Nuggets PR

The NBA has announced that Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić has been named Western Conference Player of the Month for games played in February.&nbsp;

Jokić becomes the first player in franchise history to win the award in back-to-back months and it marks the sixth Player of the Month honor in his career, the most in franchise history.

The NBA’s back-to-back Most Valuable Player averaged 22.6 points, 14.2 rebounds and 10.2 assists while shooting .642 from the field and .500 from three-point range in 11 games during February. He helped lead the Nuggets to a record of 9-2 in games in which he played, and they currently sit atop the Western Conference with a record of 44-19.&nbsp;

Jokić, 28, recorded eight triple-doubles in February including posting one in four of his last five games, adding to his league-leading 24 for the season. He joins Wilt Chamberlain as the only centers in NBA history to record eight or more triple doubles in a single month. The Nuggets are currently 24-0 this season when he records a triple double and dating back to last season, they are 28-0 in such games, the longest streak in NBA history. Jokic also became the third player in NBA history (Robertson, Westbrook) to average a triple double in three consecutive months.

Joker currently has shot over .500 from the field in 49 straight games, making it the second longest active streak in the NBA (Robert Williams) and third longest streak in NBA history. He also joined Russell Westbrook and Oscar Robertson as the only players in NBA history to record 500 assists and 500 rebounds before the All-star break.&nbsp;

The Sombor, Serbia native is averaging 24.6 points, 11.7 rebounds and a career-high 10.0 assists, while shooting .633 from the field and .398 from three in 33.6 minutes per game. If those averages hold, he will become the third player in NBA history to average a triple double for a single season (Robertson, Westbrook).

nikola-jokic-named-nba-western-conference-player-of-the-month-3

NIKOLA JOKIĆ NAMED NBA WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYER OF THE MONTH

Alex Labidou/Nuggets.com

Nikola Jokić shared the love on his 28th birthday, but unfortunately, the Nuggets center and head coach Michael Malone were on the losing end of the 2023 NBA All-Star Game with a 184-175 loss.

Jokić was drafted to the Malone-coached Team LeBron and finished his fifth appearance as an NBA All-Star with six stunning dimes, five rebounds to go along with four points. The Serbian also made a bit of history as he was the first NBA player to start an All-Star game on his birthday.&nbsp;

Team LeBron and Team Giannis went toe to toe in the first half, with Team Giannis holding a 99-92 lead entering the break. LeBron James, who had 13 points and four assists in the first half, suffered a hand injury and halted some of his team’s momentum, and that’s where Jayson Tatum took over.

The Celtics star set a new NBA player scoring record at the All-Star Game, dropping an event-high 55 points to go along with 10 boards and six assists.

With the All-Star festivities coming to a close, the Nuggets will be back in action in four days when they travel to Cleveland to take on the Cavaliers (TV: ALTITUDE/RADIO: ALTITUDE SPORTS RADIO 92.5 FM).

It started at the All-Star’s new live draft format. With James deciding between Jokić and Lauri Markkanen for Team LeBron, the Nuggets center hilariously walked up to the podium patted the Lakers’ star on the back, and effectively made the decision for him.

“I would not draft myself either,” Jokić joked to reporters after the game.&nbsp;

The antics wouldn’t stop there. Nor would the highlight reel passes.&nbsp;

Jokić made his presence immediately felt by easily grabbing a one-handed and effortlessly turning to find a soaring James for a thunderous alley-oop slam in the opening minute of the game. The Serbian would continue to put on a passing clinic throughout the game, with no shortage of smooth, silky dimes through the first three quarters.

He also appeared to embrace being a defensive stopper in the first half, often running a full-court press on inbound passes.

Best two centers in the NBA start together

Nikola Jokić. Joel Embiid. There has been plenty of debate among NBA fans on who the best center in the league is, even if Jokić’s two MVP awards would suggest a clear-cut answer. Thanks to this year’s All-Star game, those same fans got a rare opportunity to see the two men start together.

It’s a dream pairing that would be akin to Bill Russell joining forces with Wilt Chamberlain or Shaquille O’Neal starting with David Robinson. That’s the magic of the NBA All-Star game, especially with the conference element now being removed. While the two centers were staggered during various points of the game, when they did play together, the pairing didn’t disappoint.

It got going early as Jokić and Embiid tried running a pick and roll in the first minute of the game, a sight to see with the two seven-footers using their size and skill to execute the play. Jokić would assist Embiid on three buckets, including an impressive center-to-center alley-oop, and a top-of-the-key kick out to for a downtown swish from the Sixers’ star.

Not bad synergy between two men who have been friendly rivals over the past half-decade.

“I think it could work in a real-life game,” Jokić noted.

The All-Star break was fun. Denver now enters the Post All-Star stretch run.&nbsp;

The Nuggets have been brilliant in building a 41-18 foundation, sitting on top of the Western Conference with an impressive five-game lead. Jokić, again, looks set to be the favorite for MVP. If he were to claim the award for a third consecutive season, it would be a feat that has only been done by three other players in NBA history. Carrying over momentum will be crucial for Malone and his team.

There are 23 games left in the regular season, and the West looks as crowded as it has been in years, thanks to a busy trade deadline. While there were some headline-grabbing moves in February, the Nuggets also made some strong under-the-radar moves as well. Their second unit has been bolstered with the additions of Reggie Jackson and Thomas Bryant – two players who should be able to make an immediate impact. Quality depth is pivotal for a contender and is especially vital considering just how deep the Western Conference is.

Also, more importantly, the Nuggets might have the best chemistry of the league considering their coaching staff and their core has spent years together. While other teams will be working on incorporating new starters who will be top options in the game plan, Denver has an understanding that has been built over time. That will be important as the team fights to maintain hold of its No. 1 seed.

“We believe in what we’ve built, the basketball system we’ve built, over the past few years,” Jokić emphasized after the game.

nba-all-star-game-2023-recap-nikola-jokic-drops-several-impressive-dimes-despite-team-lebron-loss

NBA All-Star Game 2023 Recap: Nikola Jokić drops several impressive dimes despite Team LeBron loss

In 2019, Nikola Jokić and Michael Malone made their All-Star debuts as player and head coach respectively. As significant as it was for both men, the moment might have been bigger for the Denver Nuggets.&nbsp;

Entering the 2018-19 season, the Nuggets were mired in a six-year playoff drought and suffered heartbreak in the infamous Game 82 in the previous campaign – a loss that could have crippled the franchise’s momentum. Instead, Denver used it as a launching pad for success.&nbsp;

Jokić had his first MVP-caliber season, while Malone and his coaching staff developed a system that accentuated the strength of a largely young roster. Jamal Murray was among several second and third-year players to take a big step forward, while veterans like Paul Millsap and Mason Plumlee delivered heady performances in key spots.&nbsp;

It was a perfect confluence of events and it led to the Nuggets tying the Golden State Warriors as the Western Conference’s top team with a 37-15 record on Feb. 3, 2019 – the time when the All-Star coaches are selected. For Jokić, Malone, and the Nuggets, the 2019 All-Star Game was a “we’ve arrived” message for those watching the events in Charlotte.&nbsp;&nbsp;The franchise’s trajectory has pointed largely upward since that point.&nbsp;

jokic-all-star-highlights

Jokić 2019 All-Star Highlights

Could history be repeating itself in the 2023 All-Star Game?&nbsp;

In the five seasons between both events, the Nuggets organization has seen its share of milestones to be proud of. An eye-opening run to the Western Conference Finals in the Bubble. The franchise’s first-ever MVP award was earned by Jokić, followed by a stunning second MVP the next season. Jokić is now the NBA’s best player and Malone is arguably its most underrated coach. But there has been heartbreak along the way. Injuries robbed the Nuggets of two key players in Murray and Michael Porter Jr, derailing what should have been two contending seasons in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 campaigns. Yet, similar to Game 82, Denver has, again, risen to the occasion.&nbsp;

Murray and Porter Jr. are back and making their presence felt. Aaron Gordon is in the midst of an All-Star-worthy breakout campaign. And yes, Jokić is marching towards a third-consecutive MVP award – a feat that has only been done three times in NBA history by Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell and Larry Bird. And once again, the Nuggets are sitting at the top of the Western Conference with a 41-18 record. This is a team that can and should contend for the league’s title this season. 

The Nuggets have indeed arrived and the 2023 All-Star game could be a catapult to an exciting April, May, and hopefully June for the franchise.&nbsp;

With the 72nd All-Star game set to tip off Sunday night, here are some storylines to watch out for in Salt Lake City:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Will the reigning NBA MVP win All-Star MVP?&nbsp;

What’s one more historical milestone for the Nuggets’ beloved Serbian superstar? If Jokić wins All-Star MVP, he would be just the second player in franchise history to accomplish the feat (the first being David Thompson in 1979).&nbsp;

While it is a rarity for big men to win the All-Star game MVP, Jokić can look toward Anthony Davis' 2017 MVP win for inspiration. The then-Pelicans big man got a hot hand early, which led to teammates continuing to feed him in a 52-point, 10-rebound performance that saw the West win 192-182 over the East. Davis shot 26-of-39 in the contest.&nbsp;

Jokić nearly notched a triple-double in his last All-Star outing, going for 10 points, nine boards and eight dimes in just 21 minutes. He also shot a sizzling 80 percent in the 2022 All-Star game, adding two buckets from downtown.

Jokić’s All-Star antics at each appearance have proven to be some of his most memorable.&nbsp;

Who can forget the Serbian’s air guitar celebration with LeBron James? Or the bromance of MVPs between Jokić and Giannis in 2021?&nbsp;&nbsp;

Lastly, let’s not forget the event was likely the first time NBA fans saw the then-casual dresser rock suits. It’s now a staple in the big man’s fashion arsenal. It all started during All-Star weekend and the Joker usually comes out in full force for the event. So, bring out the popcorn and get ready to witness something great…or hilarious.&nbsp;

Malone staring at the franchise record&nbsp;

Malone is already sitting in rarified air as a Nuggets head coach. His selection as Team LeBron’s head coach marks his second selection as All-Star coach – a first in franchise history. Malone can now aim for another franchise first – getting a second win at the All-Star game.&nbsp;

Malone and former Nuggets coach Larry Brown are currently tied at one All-Star game win apiece, while George Karl lost his sole appearance as a member of the Nuggets in 2010.&nbsp;

Malone reunites with James, a player the coach credits as having a formative impact on his early career, and might have a unique challenge ahead of him Sunday. If Team Giannis selects Jokić Sunday, it would be the first time the player and coach have gone head-to-head in a game.&nbsp;

nba-all-star-2023-preview-can-nikola-jokic-michael-malone-make-nuggets-history-in-utah

NBA All-Star 2023 Preview: Can Nikola Jokić, Michael Malone make Nuggets history in Utah? 

DENVER, February 14, 2023 –&nbsp;The Denver Nuggets have signed free agent guard Reggie Jackson, General Manager Calvin Booth announced today.

Jackson, 32, has appeared in 52 games (38 starts) for the Clippers this season, averaging 10.9 points, 2.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists while shooting .350 from three-point range in 25.7 minutes per game. The 11-year NBA veteran has appeared in 755 career games (504 starts) for the Thunder, Pistons and Clippers, averaging 12.9 points, 3.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game in 25.6 minutes per game. Jackson averaged his second-most points per game (16.8) of his career in 2021-22, the sixth time in his career he’s averaged over 14.0 points per game.&nbsp;

Jackson, 6-2, 208, was born in Italy at Aviano Air Base before moving to England, North Dakota, Georgia and Florida before moving to Colorado Springs when he was sixth grade. Jackson attended Palmer High School from 2004 to 2008 and was named the Gatorade Colorado Boys’ Player of the Year as a senior in 2007-08. Jackson attended Boston College for three seasons, earning First Team All-ACC honors as a junior while averaging 18.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. He was selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the 24th overall pick of the 2011 NBA Draft.

denver-nuggets-sign-reggie-jackson

DENVER NUGGETS SIGN REGGIE JACKSON

The Denver Nuggets have acquired center Thomas Bryant in a four-team deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers and Orlando Magic, General Manager Calvin Booth announced today.&nbsp;Denver sends guard Davon Reed and a second round pick to the Lakers and guard Bones Hyland to the Clippers as part of the deal.

Bryant, 25, has appeared in 41 games (25 starts) for the Lakers this season, averaging 12.1 points and 6.8 rebounds while shooting .654 from the field in 21.4 minutes per game. The five-year NBA veteran has appeared in 211 career games (133 starts) for the Wizards and the Lakers, averaging 10.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. Bryant was originally selected with the 42nd&nbsp;overall pick of the 2017 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz after spending two seasons at Indiana University.

Reed, 27, has appeared in 35 games (one start) for Denver this season, averaging 2.3 points and 1.6 rebounds in 9.0 minutes per game. Reed has appeared in 114 career games (seven starts) with Denver, Phoenix and Indiana, averaging 3.2 points and 1.8 rebounds in 11.2 minutes per game. He was originally drafted with the 32nd&nbsp;overall pick of the 2017 NBA draft out of the University of Miami.

Hyland, 22, has played in 42 games (one start) for Denver this season, averaging 12.1 points, 2.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 19.5 minutes per game. Overall he has appeared in 111 games (five starts) for the Nuggets over two seasons, averaging 10.9 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 19.2 minutes. The Delaware native was drafted by the Nuggets with 26th&nbsp;overall pick of the 2021 NBA Draft after two season at Virginia Commonwealth University.&nbsp;

denver-nuggets-acquire-center-thomas-bryant

DENVER NUGGETS ACQUIRE CENTER THOMAS BRYANT

The NBA announced today that Denver Nuggets Head Coach Michael Malone was named the Western Conference Coach of the Month for games played in January.&nbsp;

Additionally, Michael Malone and his coaching staff have secured the top seed in the Western Conference through games played on February 5th, earning them the right to coach Team LeBron in the 2023 NBA All-Star Game. Malone and his staff previously earned this honor in 2019 at NBA All-Star weekend in Charlotte.

Coach Malone led the Nuggets to a 12-4 record (.750) in January, the best record in the entire NBA during that span. The Nuggets won a season-high nine straight games from Jan. 5th&nbsp;to Jan. 20th&nbsp;and they also won nine consecutive home games during the month as part of their season-long 16 game home winning streak that spanned from Dec. 10th&nbsp;through Jan. 20th. Denver ranked first in the NBA in Net Rating (+8.0), fourth in offensive rating (119.4) and fourth in defensive rating (111.4) while maintaining the number one seed in the West. On the season the Nuggets currently sit at the top of the Western Conference with a record of 35-16 while ranking first in the NBA in offensive rating (117.4), field goal percentage (.508) and three-point percentage (.397), second in Assists (28.6) and third in net rating (4.1).

Michael Malone earns this honor for the second time in his coaching career (April ’21) and is just the third Nuggets coach to win the award multiple times (George Karl, Doug Moe). Coach Malone is in his eighth season as Head Coach for the Nuggets, compiling 349 total regular season wins with Denver (third in franchise history) and 21 playoff wins (tied for second in franchise history). Since Malone took over prior to the 2015-16 season, the Nuggets have seen the postseason on three occasions including a Western Conference Finals appearance in 2020, the first for the franchise since 2009. Denver has won four playoff series over the last four seasons after winning a total of four in the previous 32 years.

michael-malone-named-western-conference-coach-of-the-month-for-january

MICHAEL MALONE NAMED WESTERN CONFERENCE COACH OF THE MONTH FOR JANUARY

The NBA has announced that Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić has been named the Western Conference Player of the Month for games played in January.&nbsp;

Jokić wins the award for the first time this season and the fifth time in his career, the most Player of the Month honors in franchise history.

The NBA’s back-to-back Most Valuable Player averaged 24.0 points, 11.6 rebounds, 11.3 assists and 1.20 steals while shooting .677 from the field and .538 from three-point range in 12 games during January. He helped lead the Nuggets to a record of 10-2 in games in which he played and they currently sit atop the Western Conference with a record of 35-16.&nbsp;

Jokić, 27, recorded eight triple-doubles in January including posting one in five of his last six games, adding to his league-leading 16 for the season (16-0 in those games). He joins Wilt Chamberlain as the only centers in NBA history to record eight or more triple doubles in a single month. Jokic also became the first player to have shooting splits of .650 from the field, .500 from three and .850 from the free throw line in a month.&nbsp;

Joker was named to his fifth straight All-Star game and third consecutive year being named an All-Star starter on January 26th. He joins Alex English and David Thompson as the only Nugget players to be selected to start in consecutive All-Star games. Amongst the NBA, for the month, he ranked first in assists per game (11.3), third in +/- (11.4), fifth in double-doubles (9) and seventh in rebounds per game (11.3).

The Sombor, Serbia native is averaging 25.1 points, 11.1 rebounds and a career-high 10.0 assists, while shooting .631 from the field and .388 from three in 33.6 minutes per game. If those averages hold, he will become the third player in NBA history to average a triple double for a single season (Robertson, Westbrook).

nikola-jokic-named-nba-western-conference-player-of-the-month-january

DENVER, January 31, 2023 –&nbsp;The NBA announced today that sophomore Bones Hyland has been selected to the NBA’s Rising Stars Challenge.

Hyland, 22, becomes the fifth Nuggets player in franchise history to represent Denver at the Rising Stars Challenge in back-to-back seasons and it is the third consecutive season that the Nuggets have had at least one player invited.

Bones has appeared in 41 games (one start) for Denver this season, averaging 12.3 points, 3.0 assists and 2.1 rebounds in 19.9 minutes per game. Among second year players, he currently ranks second in three point makes per game (2.1), third in total thee point field goals (91), fourth in free throw percentage (.863), eighth in total points (506) and eighth in total assists (124).

The Wilmington, Delaware native has helped Denver to a 17-10 record in games when he scores in double-figures, including going 5-3 in games with 20+ points. He has recorded five or more three-pointers in six games this season (4-2), leading the Nuggets in such games. All six games have come off the bench, which is second in the NBA behind Malik Beasley (9) for most 5+ three-point games off the bench this season.

Hyland was selected by Denver with the 26th overall pick of the 2021 NBA Draft after spending two seasons at Virginia Commonwealth University. Hyland has appeared in 110 career games (five starts), averaging 10.9 points, 2.9 assists and 2.5 rebounds while shooting .402 from the field and .371 from three in 19.3 minutes per game.

bones-hyland-selected-to-the-nbas-rising-stars-challenge-2

BONES HYLAND SELECTED TO THE NBA’S RISING STARS CHALLENGE

Presented by

Western Union

Come out to the Denver Nuggets 2022-23 Draft Party Thursday, June 23rd @ 6:00 p.m. at Tom's Watch Bar, presented by Miller Lite! 

Watch your Denver Nuggets make their pick, win team signed gear, and meet Super Mascot Rocky! For more information <a href="https://www.nba.com/nuggets/watch-parties">Click Here</a>