Mile High Tape · Morning

Denver Lost Its Spacing in Oklahoma City. Saturday May Bring It Back

Cameron Johnson and Spencer Jones are both expected back for the home opener, so Denver's first fix is spacing, not effort.

By the Nuggets Nightly Desk · Friday, October 23

Spencer Jones was upgraded from out on Friday, and Cameron Johnson's right ankle has a projected return of Saturday, when the Pelicans visit. Denver scored 16 points in the third quarter at Oklahoma City, and the missing shooters are the likeliest repair.

Nuggets Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

Who is coming back?

Jones sat out the opener with a hamstring issue and was upgraded from out a day later. Johnson played 11 minutes in Oklahoma City and was then added to the injury report with a right ankle issue. Both are projected back for Saturday. Strawther is still sidelined by his left knee, with a target date of Nov. 29.

What the opener showed

Denver led 48-44 at the half and then scored 16 in the third. Jokic shot 5 of 19, Murray went 2 of 11 with six turnovers, and the starters combined for 51 points. With Johnson limited and Jones unavailable, the two stars had little room to work. Mile High Sports wrote that the opener looked like last season's closer.

Why the Pelicans fit

New Orleans arrives 0-1 under Jamahl Mosley, coming off a 26-56 season with a 117.6 defensive rating. Trey Murphy III and Zion Williamson each averaged more than 21 points last season. After Saturday, Denver hosts Golden State on Oct. 26, then plays at New Orleans on Oct. 28 and at Phoenix in the NBA Cup on Oct. 30.

The number to carry

+13.5. That was last season's net rating for the starting group of Gordon, Braun, Murray, Jokic and Johnson. In Oklahoma City, Gordon's 6-of-9 night stood alone. The open question is whether a healthy Johnson returns to that group on Saturday, or whether Adelman keeps DeRozan, who was part of the closing lineup on Thursday.

When will Cameron Johnson return for the Nuggets?

His right ankle injury has a projected return of Oct. 24 against the Pelicans. He played 11 minutes in the opener at Oklahoma City.

Is Spencer Jones playing against the Pelicans?

He was upgraded from out on Oct. 23 with a hamstring issue and is projected back for Oct. 24. Nothing more has been reported.

By the Nuggets Nightly Desk, written from the club's data and the reports on file, with every name and number checked against them. How the desks work.