The Denver Nuggets defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 116-105 in Game 1 of their playoff series. Spencer Jones’ return to the lineup forced Julian Strawther out of the rotation. Head coach David Adelman’s playoff rotation began to take shape.
Strawther had been a key reserve during a mid-season injury patch. He also started two critical wins before the playoffs began. Those wins preserved the Nuggets’ 12-game winning streak and three-seed.
Adelman had previously stated someone would be sacrificed when healthy. That player turned out to be Julian Strawther. Jones’ return created the necessary roster squeeze.
Coach Adelman used Jonas Valanciunas to replace Nikola Jokic. This occurred at the top of the second and fourth quarters. Valanciunas co-existed with Jones, Bruce Brown, and Tim Hardaway Jr. off the bench.
Cam Johnson and Jamal Murray slipped back into the reserve unit rotation. Valanciunas played 7 minutes and 54 seconds in Game 1. Jokic played 40 minutes and 6 seconds.
Valanciunas was the direct replacement for Jokic. The Nuggets used a tight seven-player rotation. Jones mostly spelled Aaron Gordon and Cam Johnson in his 9 minutes and 15 seconds.
Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. both saw over 20 minutes. The Nuggets leaned heavily on the starting unit overall. Jokic and Murray could be in for heavy playoff minutes.
Jamal Murray played 39 minutes and 28 seconds. That was right behind Jokic for most minutes played. The Nuggets look set with a nine or ten-man rotation if Peyton Watson misses more time.
Peyton Watson’s return could change everything. Adelman has mentioned comfort playing Watson at multiple positions. That ranges from primary ball handler to playing the five.
Adelman compared that flexibility to Magic Johnson’s level. Watson’s health remains up in the air currently. His status is uncertain for the series.
The Nuggets never felt overpowered during Game 1. They started slowly, which has become a theme this year. This is especially true in matinee games.
The team will continue to lean heavily on Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. The rotation appears set for now. Julian Strawther is the odd man out.
