Nuggets beat writer @DenverPost. St. Louis to CoMo to Auburn to Colorado

Denver, CO
Nuggets brought in NBA refs to officiate a scrimmage today and Nikola Jokic spent at least 10 minutes in conversation/demonstration with them after practice ended.
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Nikola Jokic on the Nuggets firing Michael Malone and Calvin Booth: “I knew a little bit before everybody. And (Josh Kroenke) told me, ‘We made a decision.’ So it was not a discussion. It was a decision, and he told me why. So I listened and I accept it.”
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Anthony Edwards allowed a kid to come over to his court-side seat for an autograph. The kid was wearing a Denver jersey, prompting someone in the stands to yell, “He’s a Nuggets fan!” Ant responds: “It’s all good. I be busting their ass.”
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Nikola Jokic: "We had the nine-game winning streak against teams that were injured and teams that were not really good or high in the standings. So maybe we tricked ourselves into (thinking) that we are playing good."
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Michael Malone just ripped the Sacramento Kings for firing Mike Brown today, says they called Brown while he was in his car on the way to the airport instead of firing him in-person at Sacramento’s practice. “No class. No balls.”
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Nikola Jokic: "Basically, I was the worst player on the court today. But we won the game, and that was the most important."
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One of the most haunting what-if games in American sports history
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Michael Malone has a message for Nuggets fans in the Sunday @DenverPost
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Nikola Jokic on Jamal Murray's four steals and three blocks: "He's just going for stats. He doesn't really play defense."
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Nuggets coach Michael Malone says if you put Player A and Player B on paper, not knowing that the player who's averaging a triple-double has already won three MVPs, "he wins the MVP 10 times out of 10. And if you don't think so, I think you guys are all full of shit."
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Nikola Jokic on what Nuggets need to see next few games: “A reaction. In my country, where I’m coming from, after this kind of stretch you’re gonna get a paycheck that is a little bit less than you are worth. So maybe that’s what we need to do. Maybe a little motivation that way”
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Nikola Jokic just attempted his 100th 2-pointer of the season. He has made 78 of them.
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Suni Lee on deciding to still come to college after Olympics: “I don’t think anybody intended for me to win gold. I didn’t intend for that to happen, so it was kind of like I already had my mind set: I’m going to Auburn. … I wanted to be here.”
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Christian Braun: "The reason I get so hyped up after that is, that's the best rim protector in the NBA. So making a play on the best rim protector in the NBA doesn't happen often. ... I got him once and he got me too. ... They got the win, so obviously Rudy gets the win today."
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Jamal Murray: "You're within striking distance all game, and you just can't close the gap. It gets frustrating. ... But give them credit. They played really good, and also, we've had their number for a number of years now, so they get one game, we're not gonna overreact."
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Nikola Jokic says when his career is over, “this is gonna be my second home.” He said he appreciates the respect fans show him when they approach him at Washington Park in Denver.
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Aaron Gordon, asked what he likes about playing the five: “There’s only two positions in basketball. On the floor and off the floor.” Gordon prefers to be on the floor.
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Victor Wembanyama on playing against Nikola Jokic: "Multiple-time MVP. Soon to be MVP again. Can't ask for a better way to get better."
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Net sum of the two trades: Nuggets have turned Michael Porter Jr. and Dario Saric into Cam Johnson and Jonas Valanciunas while saving $12.3 million in 2025-26 salary.
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Nikola Jokic: “Game 5 is going to be the hardest game of our lives.”
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Jokic making sure Cam Johnson gets a trial by fire before the real games begin
preseason is for trying new material
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Crowd erupts as the best gymnast in the world scores her first perfect 10 at Auburn Arena. What a moment for Suni Lee.
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Asked Nikola Jokic what he was doing during the long stoppage in the middle of the last game: “Nothing. Getting stiff.”
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If LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic and Russell Westbrook are all on the court together at any point tonight, there will be 559 combined regular-season triple-doubles on the floor at the same time (627 total), which has to be the most ever. They’re 4 of the top 7 all-time.
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all timer @denverpost
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When I asked Bill Walton if he had 1 minute for a question about Nikola Jokic in a hallway before the ASG, he didn’t want to rush it. So he helped me get on the court after the game to sit down for a proper interview. Unbelievably kind. Thanks for this photo @aaronontiveroz. RIP.
After the All-Star Game, Bill Walton found Nikola Jokic again to chat. They talked at practice the day before. Why has Walton has become Jokic’s biggest fan and advocate? “Nikola Jokic represents the conquest of substance over hype,” he told @denverpost. denverpost.com/2024/02/24/bi…
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Michael Malone said pregame and postgame that playing Nikola Jokic this many minutes won't be sustainable. Asked Malone if he does anything to apologize for giving Jokic such little rest in a stretch of games like this. "No, man. You see his paycheck?"
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nvm don’t bother clicking
ICYMI: Nikola Jokic is shooting less. Why that's good for him and Denver denverpost.com/2025/11/08/ni…
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Michael Porter Jr. to @DenverPost after Game 5 loss: “We’ve played well enough to win the last two games. A lot of the reason we lost is because I’m not helping contribute. And that’s tough. That’s really tough. ... I haven't been contributing in any way.” denverpost.com/2025/05/14/mi…
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Nikola Jokic knew before it was even brought up: "I think this is the first time I scored 50 and we won. So it's a good feeling."
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Has Michael Porter Jr. been the Nuggets’ most consistent offensive player in this series?
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Things DeAndre Jordan is good for, according to Nikola Jokic: “…to give you advice on and off the court, to make fun of somebody, to make fun of him. He’s always up to something. To share a glass of wine (with), too. He’s a really good teammate.”
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Aaron Gordon is ready to play tomorrow vs. Hornets, he tells @denverpost. The dog that bit him on Christmas was his Rottweiler that his dad usually takes care of because the Nuggets travel so often. “He’s a good boy. He’s a good dog,” Gordon says. More soon @DPostSports.
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(He was laughing as he started to say that.) Then added, “What’s the name of it? Being benched? Being on the bench, I think that’s really good motivation too.”
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Nikola Jokic on Chet Holmgren: “He’s a really talented guy, but this is his first year. He’s still learning everything. … I think he needs experience. I think he needs to be a little bit fatter, to be honest.” denverpost.com/2023/10/29/nu…
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Michael Malone on notion that Lakers' gameplan on Saturday means "the Rubik's cube" that is Nikola Jokic has been solved: "I think people have thought they found the Rubik's Cube many times in the last 10 years, only to see Nikola Jokic show them that he's always a step ahead."
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Breaking: Auburn’s Walker Kessler wins Naismith National Defensive Player of the Year award in New Orleans.
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Aaron Gordon: “I think we’ll probably stay right around 20 (minutes) for a while, and then probably go to about 25. ... I don’t care whether I start or come off the bench. It does not matter to me. As long as I can contribute to winning the game for us.” denverpost.com/2025/01/12/nu…
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Nikola Jokic today on OKC Thunder being considered heavy favorites to win the championship this year: "Hopefully we can be the silent -- how do you say it? -- the silent knight. Silent horse. Dark horse."
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Tim Hardaway Jr. to Denver will also be a vet minimum deal.
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Nikola Jokic on the MVP race with SGA: "This is my third or fourth year in a row, so ... I don't know. I cannot control it. I will say that I think I'm playing the best basketball of my life, so if that's enough, it's enough. If not, the guy deserves it. He's really amazing."
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Bruce Brown has a two-hour video on his phone of every basket he made during his one year for the Denver Nuggets. He told me last season that he watches portions of it before games. He has waited for this reunion. denverpost.com/2024/03/11/br… And this is his Instagram story tonight.
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Russell Westbrook: "My job is to be the low man and find ways to, excuse my language, fuck shit up."
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Here is Michael Malone's full comment on the Sacramento Kings' firing of Mike Brown. Malone said he was shocked at first, then realized he shouldn't be, "because who he works for. So I'm not surprised that Mike Brown got fired, because I got fired by the same person."
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Auburn basketball team disrespectfully dancing on its own logo at center court.
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Jabari Smith on the tarmac (via Wendell Green’s Instagram live): “We’re gonna make up for it. Oklahoma, in The Jungle. We back.”
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Jamal Murray left the locker room without speaking to reporters for the second consecutive game.
Wolves coach Chris Finch calls Jamal Murray throwing the heat pack onto the floor in the second quarter “inexcusable” and “dangerous.”
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this level of commitment to the bit just isn’t common these days
JOKER IS IN THE BUILDING 🃏 🆚 Thunder/Nuggets Game 3 I Series tied 1-1 ⏰ 10pm/et on ESPN
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Michael Porter Jr. hasn't been able to remove his jersey on his own all series, man. What a shot-maker.
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Russell Westbrook had left the Nuggets’ locker room when reporters were allowed in after the game.
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Nikola Jokic gave a rare pregame autograph to a Serbian boy. “He plays basketball, so it means the world,” his dad said. They plan to frame it.
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you can make out Jokic holding his child like a beacon of light in the middle of this bedlam
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Nuggets interim HC David Adelman on the Thunder: “I had a really good friend the other day make me feel awful. I said, ‘Yeah, if we win this series we’ve gotta play a team that’s 68-14.’ He said, ‘No, man, they’re 72-14.’ I said, ‘Oh, OK. That’s right. Appreciate you, bro.’”
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“This is probably up there with the Olympics,” Suni Lee said.
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David Adelman went out of his way to say the Nuggets will miss Michael Porter Jr. and shouted out everything he gave the city of Denver. Also added: “What he’s giving to social media right now is something.”
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Michael Porter Jr. in Nuggets franchise history: 15th in points (5,597) 18th in rebounds (2,209) 14th in made field goals (2,123 at 50%) 2nd in 3-pointers (843 at 40.6%) 1st in effective field goal percentage (59.9%)
Thank you MPJ Wishing you the best in your next chapter 💛
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Jeff Graba on Auburn Arena tonight: “This is why they came here. … Well, this is more than what they came for.” “In my opinion, there’s not an atmosphere even close to this in college gymnastics.”
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Nikola Jokic’s nuanced relationship to basketball, summed up in one Christian Braun anecdote about player development: “In the U.S., a lot of it’s like, ‘Let’s shoot 2,000 shots.’ And over there, it’s like, ‘Let’s shoot 200 shots, but 200 perfect shots.’” denverpost.com/2024/05/03/ni…
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I asked him multiple questions about blowing the 20-point lead, and Malone said “fuck being up 20.”
Michael Malone unhappy with questions, repeats “the season’s over” after Game 7 loss.
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Here are your 3-point percentages for Denver’s six main rotation guys in the seven-game Clippers series: Nikola Jokic 45.2% Michael Porter Jr. 44.1% Russell Westbrook 41.9% Jamal Murray 40.4% Christian Braun 32% Aaron Gordon 29.2%
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Russell Westbrook: "The truth is that they didn't want me back. It ain't up to me. God always has a plan. Be patient. Not up to me. They don't want me. That's OK. Somebody else do." On the player option: "They told me not to (pick it up). I don't go anywhere I'm not wanted."
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screenshots never die
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Christian Braun on Jeff Van Gundy's wrestling skills: "He looked pretty good. I mean, he held his ground. Held onto the ball pretty well. It's pretty embarrassing for Jok, but he was in the weight room afterward, so that's good."
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Michael Malone: "Jamal Murray didn't pay himself $54 million. We did that as an organization because we believe in him. We don't win our first franchise championship without Jamal Murray." Murray on scrutiny increasing with max contract: "I literally signed up for it, right?"
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Aaron Gordon woke up to a FaceTime call from a teammate. It was the middle of the night in China. But he turned on the lights and answered, like he always does. Why the Nuggets believe nobody deserves this moment more than Gordon: denverpost.com/2025/05/06/aa…
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Christian Braun: "Obviously I took a lot of pride in having that spot, trying to win that spot. And I'm gonna work to try to get it back. That's my job. ... But whether I'm coming off the bench or starting I'm very grateful for every opportunity that I get." More soon @DenverPost
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Gonzaga vs. Quad 1/Quad 2: 5-2 Auburn vs. Quad 1/Quad 2: 10-1
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I could see Gobert’s face as Jokic was doing this. Utter bewilderment. Jokic: “I mean, we are playing against them 11 times last year and two times this year (already), so you kind of remember.”
Me & Rudy looked at each other and said "How the f*** does he know?" 🤣
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Denver welcomes Bruce Brown back.
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Here’s the NCAA’s official transcript of Ron Hunter’s response to my question about rebounding, before which I was required to state my publication.
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This guy has averaged 24.8 points the last six games.
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More Harsin when asked about Bo Nix: “Be honest with you, I’m gonna focus more on the guys we have.”
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Michael Malone on whether smaller players are allowed to get away with more physicality fronting Jokic in the post: “Next question. … There’s so many things that I want to say. If you guys want to start a GoFundMe…”
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UConn coach Dan Hurley: "Wait, what time do we play (Michigan State) tomorrow?" (Noon ET.) Hurley: "Oh, shit."
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Russell Westbrook in his old digs. Has the gym to himself right now.
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Eli Drinkwitz, Cuonzo Martin, Robin Pingeton, Brian Smith and Steve Bieser all in the house for #Mizzou softball's regional final today.
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After the All-Star Game, Bill Walton found Nikola Jokic again to chat. They talked at practice the day before. Why has Walton has become Jokic’s biggest fan and advocate? “Nikola Jokic represents the conquest of substance over hype,” he told @denverpost. denverpost.com/2024/02/24/bi…
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Greatest athlete duos to come through Auburn at the same time: Bo Jackson + Charles Barkley Suni Lee + Jabari Smith Third nomination, anyone?
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Nikola Jokic, asked about the fans in Minnesota booing Jamal Murray: “Who boo’d him?” (The entire crowd) “Huh. Maybe I didn’t pay attention”
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Bruce Pearl pointed out Auburn won't have the jungle for the Murray State game with students on break. "We need our crowd to not act their age."
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Erik Johnson said as he was walking into the arena today, Pavel Francouz told him he was going to get a hat trick. Francouz was mad at Johnson after the game for scoring only one.
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I’ve lived in Missouri my entire life, so it feels weird to leave, but here we go: I got a job! Starting next week, I’ll be the new Auburn beat writer for the Montgomery Advertiser (@MGMAdvertiser) and USA TODAY Network. Excited and humbled to join a stellar SEC coverage team.
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Taken in January. Two NBA-bound teammates.
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Evan Rodrigues, who joined the #Avs on a 1-year deal in Sept., wants to be back. “I love it here. Family loved it here. It’s an unbelievable team. It’s a team that’s set up to win Stanley Cups. Elite talent. When we’re healthy, depth. Forwards, D, goalie. It’s an awesome group.”
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Found the first students who pitched a tent outside Auburn Arena: It was 6 a.m. “We’re trying to convince ourselves this is fun.”
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“I feel bad. I nailed him on that screen. God damn.”
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Minnesota fans wanted Jamal Murray to miss that second free throw for free chicken. He made it and gave Target Center a finger wag. That wraps up a 43-point night for him.
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The #Avs lost to New Jersey, 1-0. Colorado had been shut out once in its previous 153 games.
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we’re about to find out if yall’s sarcasm literacy is better than it was yesterday
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the Auburn fans flying into Houston today chose violence, in the form of Braves hats
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Murray State guard Tevin Brown says he didn’t talk with any teammates or Auburn people before tweeting the three-weeks-old final score. It was all his idea, in an effort to bring a peaceful end to the Auburn fanbase’s Meme War.
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Surprisingly, the pragmatic Nikola Jokic is also superstitious. “I learned a long time ago, you don’t joke with a winning streak,” he said when I asked if his shooting sleeve is temporary. “We are 3-0. So until we lose, it probably is going to be there.” denverpost.com/2025/01/22/ni…
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Hello from mountain time. Next week I begin new job as the Colorado Avalanche beat writer for The Denver Post. I can’t wait to get to know the city, interact with the fanbase and find interesting stories. Please don’t hesitate to hmu with what you enjoy reading about! Can’t wait.
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Cale Makar stayed in full uniform in the locker room for a while. He was the last #Avs player to leave. Was hard on himself, said he didn’t play well enough in this series.
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Aaron Gordon: “It sucks. They’re asking if I wanted the game ball, and no, I don’t want the game ball to take an L home with me. No thank you. So it sucks. But it’s one game. It’s our first game. … We’re gonna reconvene, watch the film … try and play better in our home opener.”
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Christian Braun on Aaron Gordon: “Guy gets 50 and then he just checks out.”
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Nikola Jokic is back to averaging a triple-double this season with 30.2 points (3rd in NBA), 13.4 rebounds (3rd), 10.1 assists per game (2nd). He also ranks fourth in the league in steals with 1.9. Shooting splits are 56/48/81%.
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