Nuggets Suffer Devastating Loss to Knicks in Blowout Game

The Denver Nuggets faced a brutal defeat at the hands of the New York Knicks, losing 122-84 in a one-sided game at Madison Square Garden. This loss broke the Nuggets’ three-game winning streak and marked the end of their longest road trip of the season. Finishing their five-game Eastern Conference swing with a 3-2 record, the Nuggets return to Colorado, needing to bounce back as they face Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers in a Saturday matinee rematch.

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Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets’ star player, endured a left eye injury during the game after being poked by Knicks guard Donte DiVincenzo. Jokic initially collapsed to the court in pain and had to be taken to the locker room. Despite the injury affecting his vision, Jokic returned to the game with a red-looking eye in the second half.

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Aaron Gordon, Jokic’s teammate, empathized with the pain of getting poked in the eye, stating that it caused a loss of vision and overall discomfort. Jokic’s resilience shone through as he continued to play, finishing the game with an impressive 31 points, 11 rebounds, and seven turnovers.

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The Nuggets struggled to find their rhythm from the start of the game. By the 4:28 mark of the first quarter, Jokic was the only Nugget who had made a shot from the field. At the end of the quarter, Jokic had 13 points and seven rebounds, while the rest of the team struggled to produce.

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The Nuggets’ defense was also a major factor in the loss. The Knicks found success both inside and outside the arc, shooting 52.4% for the game and making 15 of 38 three-point attempts. Additionally, the Knicks outscored the Nuggets on second-chance opportunities and fast breaks.

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O.G. Anunoby, who was traded to the Knicks from the Toronto Raptors, played a pivotal role in the victory. He received resounding applause from the crowd as he exited the game with 26 points and six steals. With Anunoby’s outstanding performance, the Knicks now hold an 11-2 record since his addition to the team.

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The Nuggets, typically known for their strong assist-to-turnover ratio, struggled in this game with only 20 assists and 19 turnovers. Jalen Brunson, who narrowly missed out on being selected for the Eastern Conference’s starting lineup in the upcoming All-Star Game, contributed 21 points and showcased his skills from beyond the arc.

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Despite the disappointing loss, Nuggets coach Michael Malone acknowledged the Knicks’ exceptional performance and praised Anunoby for his defensive skills, offensive prowess, toughness, and physicality. Malone expressed his belief that Brunson deserves consideration for the All-Star position, highlighting his shooting abilities and craftiness in pick-and-roll plays.