The Denver Nuggets were defeated for the second straight time after suffering a 109-128 loss by the Portland Trail Blazers.
Playing without MVP contender Nikola Jokic, the Denver Nuggets appeared to be struggling in the second half, allowing the young Trail Blazers to score 74 points.
Aaron Gordon, Russell Westbrook and Michael Porter Jr. combined scored 58 points, but Jamal Murray was quiet throughout the game, scoring just 10 points in a 5-10 shooting from the field.
Coach Michael Malone was visibly annoyed by the team’s performance and headed out to a post-game press conference.
“It was embarrassing, it was just a joke.
“It’s 11 games to go, and that’s the effort we put into it. I’m embarrassed by the game, the approach and the way we play.
“I don’t know what our peers are thinking at 11. We’re going to challenge our peers to look at the rankings and look at the rest of our schedule. If we keep playing, we’ll be in the play-in tournament,” Malone said.
Also, fans weren’t particularly pleased with the Nuggets’ performance at night.
One fan said, “The Denver Nuggets are not a candidate. Yesterday was the Calbane Booth of Fire.”
Another was added, but “Looking at the Denver Nuggets without a Jokic is like slowly bleeding from the eyes.”
Fans also said it wasn’t the best time to become a Nuggets fan.
“It’s awful to be a Nuggets fan right now,” he said.
One fan said: “I’m still trying to see why people are saying the Duck Denver Nuggets in the playoffs, they had a dominant playoff that literally won everything.
Fans were strong in attendance with Malone. “It appears Michael Malone has lost this team. The players are no longer listening to him. We need a new coach next year who can make the most of his players.”
The Nuggets’ defeat to the Blazers pushed them to fourth place in the Western Conference standings.
The challenges for the 2023 champions are upcoming games as the Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors await.
Jokic’s absence is severely hindering the team and they have to see a solution that bounces back from the unfortunate outcome.
Murray will need to boost his game with the rest of the matchups, as he heads out against the La Lakers and the Golden State Warriors.
Gordon posted some big performances, but that wasn’t enough for the team.
Nuggets cannot afford to drop the game as more than three teams compete for direct locations in the playoffs.