Nuggets’ first back-to-back of season, without Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon, reveals possible template

Nuggets’ first back-to-back of the season without Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon reveals a possible model

Assistant coach David Adelman used a 10-man rotation in the Denver Nuggets’ first back-to-back games of the season, played without Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon. Despite the absences, the team appeared composed and efficient.

Even missing their second- and third-best players, the Nuggets secured a 117–100 victory over the injury-depleted Indiana Pacers on Saturday. The win gave Denver a flawless four-game home stand and improved their record to 7–2.

Team performance and standout players

Nikola Jokic recorded a triple-double — 32 points, 14 rebounds, and 14 assists — despite committing eight turnovers. Peyton Watson stepped up as a starter, contributing 16 points, seven rebounds, and three steals. Off the bench, another player added 17 key points to maintain Denver’s momentum.

Injury management and rotation strategy

Jamal Murray has struggled recently with intermittent calf tightness, while Aaron Gordon was sidelined for what was listed as left hamstring management. Both absences were considered precautionary, as the Nuggets faced their first game on just 24 hours of rest.

“If you feel something that you know could turn into something worse, I think there is a little bit of apprehension,” David Adelman said regarding Gordon’s appearance on the injury report. “But he had some explosive plays last night. And Aaron’s a guy we have to protect in that sense.”

Adelman’s measured approach highlighted Denver’s confidence in its depth and player protection strategy, even during compact scheduling.

Outlook

The Nuggets’ depth and efficiency under pressure suggest a sustainable pattern for navigating a long season, even when key players are resting or recovering.

Author’s summary: Denver’s convincing win without two of its stars underscores the team’s maturity, tactical depth, and early-season dominance at home.

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The Denver Post The Denver Post — 2025-11-09

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