Imagine a team missing five of its top eight scorers, including their MVP, and still managing to pull off a thrilling victory against a powerhouse like the Milwaukee Bucks. That’s exactly what the Denver Nuggets did on Sunday night, as Tim Hardaway Jr. poured in 25 points and Aaron Gordon chipped in 23 to secure a 108-104 win. But here’s where it gets controversial: Is this a testament to the Nuggets’ depth, or a sign of the Bucks’ inconsistency?**
Despite being without Nikola Jokic (left knee bruise) and Jamal Murray (sprained left ankle), Denver found a way to grind out the win. Peyton Watson stepped up with 19 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, continuing his impressive streak of averaging 23.7 points and 6.9 rebounds over the last seven games. Zeke Nnaji also shone with his first double-double of the season, scoring 14 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. And this is the part most people miss: The Nuggets’ bench players, often overlooked, were the backbone of this victory.
For the Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo led the charge with 31 points, 11 assists, and eight rebounds, but it wasn’t enough. Myles Turner added 16 points, while Bobby Portis and AJ Green each scored 14. However, Ryan Rollins’ streak of 37 consecutive games with at least 10 points came to an abrupt end, as he was held to just two points. Here’s a thought-provoking question: With Giannis consistently delivering, why can’t the Bucks close out games like this more often?
The Nuggets, who had lost five of their last eight games, desperately needed this win to regain momentum after a 22-8 start. Meanwhile, the Bucks, who entered the night 5-2 in their last seven games, couldn’t capitalize on Denver’s depleted roster. The game’s turning point came in the final 20 seconds when the Bucks missed two critical 3-point attempts to tie the game, and Gordon sealed the deal with three clutch free throws.
Looking ahead, the Nuggets travel to New Orleans on Tuesday, while the Bucks host Minnesota. What do you think? Can the Nuggets sustain this level of play without their stars, or will their injuries eventually catch up to them? And for the Bucks, is this a minor setback or a deeper issue? Let us know in the comments!
