Nuggets’ interim coach made a risky decision that had no payout.
With the game already decided, the Denver Nuggets should have waved the white flag.
It only took Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Company nine minutes of game time to bury the Nuggets in an insurmountable 20-point hole. After the first quarter, the Oklahoma City Thunder were on pace to score 180 points. By halftime, they led by 31.
Denver had already stolen homecourt, and could’ve given their exhausted 7-man rotation some much-needed rest in the second half before flying back to Denver for a must-win game three.
Instead, Adelman played his best guys almost the entirety of a third quarter of a blow-out that was chippy, and physically taxing. And for what? The Nuggets, who only had 48 hours of prep after the conclusion of their seven-game war against the Clippers, are bruised, battered, and running on fumes.
Michael Porter Jr. is playing with one arm and can’t take his jersey off without assistance. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray have been getting hounded by the Thunder’s army of defensive wings, and have been playing 40+ minutes every other night for nearly three weeks straight. Aaron Gordon isn’t that far removed from dealing with a pesky calf strain. And Russell Westbrook is 36 years old.
Another injury to someone in Denver’s shrinking rotation would immediately end their title chances. So why on earth did Jokic and Murray each log 30-plus minutes in a game that was all but decided in the first quarter?
Adelman played his starters far too many minutes
The flustered Jokic, who was getting pushed, hooked, shoved, and grabbed for the entirety of the night, didn’t get pulled from the game until he fouled out at the 1:17 mark of the third quarter. The Nuggets were down 41 points.
In the postgame presser, Ademan explained his decision to keep the starters in by claiming that they needed to find their rhythm. Sorry, but that answer isn’t good enough. Couldn’t Adelman have given more run to Julian Strawther, Peyton Watson, or Jalen Pickett? If there is anyone who could’ve benefited from a chance to find some rhythm, it’s Denver’s young guys.
While Adelman’s X’s and O’s have been brilliant, he finally showed his lack of experience by not making the obvious decision and pulling the starters.
Yes, Denver stole homecourt advantage in Oklahoma City, but they could’ve stolen some rest, too. If the Nuggets are going to win this series and make a Finals run, they have to be healthy. Their short, veteran rotation will have to have enough energy in the tank.
David Adelman has been terrific. But after pointlessly adding mileage to a car that is starting to break down, he finally made his first rookie mistake.
