| News |
|---|
|
Russell Westbrook Russell Westbrook to decline option, become UFA
Fri, Jun 13, 2025, 7:42 AM
Marc Stein
NBA reporter Marc Stein reports that Russell Westbrook will decline his $3.5 million player option for next season and become an unrestricted free agent on June 30.
Analysis: Westy enjoyed a productive season with Denver, logging just under 28 minutes per game across 75 appearances. Since leaving Oklahoma City, Westbrook has played for five teams in six seasons, and he'll look to latch on with another squad this summer. Given his age, the veteran will likely look for a contender. |
|
Russell Westbrook Westbrook undergoes surgery on right hand
Tue, May 27, 2025, 6:59 AM
Law Murray
Russell Westbrook announced that he underwent surgery on his right hand on Tuesday.
Analysis: Westbrook was on the injury report for Game 7 against the Thunder with a hand injury, and he announced that the surgery will repair two breaks in his right hand. There's no reason to think this will impact his status ahead of training camp, but it does help justify his struggles over the final five games of Denver's series against Oklahoma City. Westbrook has a $3.5 million player option and could choose to run things back with the Nuggets for another season. |
|
Michael Porter Michael Porter Jr. scores six points in finale
Sun, May 18, 2025, 12:18 PM
Michael Porter Jr. shot 3-of-8 from the field in Sunday's Game 7 loss to the Thunder, scoring six points with three rebounds, one assist and one steal in 23 minutes.
Analysis: Give Porter credit for playing through the left shoulder injury he suffered during the first round. Unfortunately for the Nuggets, he struggled in this series outside of a 21-point effort in Game 3. Remove his 5-of-6 effort from beyond the arc in that overtime victory, and Porter was 4-of-30 from three. Game 3 was also the only contest in which Porter surpassed 10 points and was one of two games where he scored in double figures. We'll likely receive a more definitive answer regarding the severity of Porter's shoulder injury in the coming days, now that Denver's season is over. And the Nuggets' front office (whoever is hired to be the new lead executive) will have some questions to answer this offseason regarding the roster makeup. Despite his perceived upside, MPJ has mainly been a middle-round player in standard leagues during his NBA career. Fantasy managers can expect more of the same in 2025-26. |
|
Christian Braun Christian Braun contributes 19 points in Game 7
Sun, May 18, 2025, 12:11 PM
Christian Braun recorded 19 points (7-of-14 FGs, 3-of-4 FTs), four rebounds, three assists, one steal and two three-pointers in 33 minutes in Sunday's Game 7 loss to the Thunder.
Analysis: After providing limited offensive value in the first five games of the series, Braun upped his production in the final two games. While it wasn't enough to help the Nuggets advance, the third-year guard's play should encourage the front office heading into the offseason. In Games 6 and 7, Braun scored 42 points on 15-of-28 shooting from the field, and he was also responsible for 15 rebounds, eight assists, four steals and five three-pointers. During the regular season, Braun exceeded his Yahoo! ADP (133) by a significant margin, as he was nearly a top-50 player in nine-cat formats and ranked just outside the top 75 in eight-cat. He should be a top-100 pick in standard league drafts next fall. |
|
Aaron Gordon Aaron Gordon (hamstring) grabs 11 rebounds Sunday
Sun, May 18, 2025, 12:08 PM
Aaron Gordon (hamstring) finished Sunday's Game 7 loss to the Thunder with eight points (2-of-4 FGs, 3-of-3 FTs), 11 rebounds and one three-pointer in 25 minutes.
Analysis: Dealing with what was reported as a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, Gordon shocked many by playing in Sunday's game. Give him credit for attempting to play through the injury, and early on, it appeared as if the Thunder weren't willing to test Gordon's health thoroughly. While effective as a rebounder, the Nuggets forward could not provide much else in his 25 minutes on the court. The defeat gives Gordon time to recover from his hamstring injury, and he should be good to go when training camp opens in September. Gordon has primarily been a late-round player in Denver, and that's unlikely to change in 2025-26, even with his improvement as a perimeter shooter this season. |
|
Jamal Murray Jamal Murray limited to 13 points in Game 7 defeat
Sun, May 18, 2025, 12:07 PM
Jamal Murray accumulated 13 points (6-of-16 FGs), one rebound, two assists, three steals, one block and one three-pointer in 35 minutes in Sunday's Game 7 loss to the Thunder.
Analysis: Initially probable for Sunday's game due to illness, Murray was a shell of himself in Game 7. He shot 1-of-8 from beyond the arc and offered little value outside of reaching double digits in points. After scoring 25 points or more in three of the four games prior, Murray likely expected more of himself with Denver's season on the line. From a fantasy standpoint, this was an excellent season for the Nuggets guard. Entering the season with a Yahoo! ADP of 54, he was a top-25 player in eight-cat and top-20 in nine-cat formats. That should boost Murray's ADP heading into drafts next fall, likely making him a player to target late in the third round of standard-league drafts. |
|
Nikola Jokic Nikola Jokic drops 20/9/7 line in series finale
Sun, May 18, 2025, 12:06 PM
Nikola Jokic accounted for 20 points (5-of-9 FGs, 9-of-11 FTs), nine rebounds, seven assists and one three-pointer in 37 minutes in Sunday's Game 7 loss to the Thunder.
Analysis: Jokic and the Nuggets ran out of gas against one of the NBA's deepest teams, with things turning in the second quarter. Leading by five entering the period, Denver was outscored by a 39-20 margin, thanks partially to Oklahoma City's strategy adjustment. They went small, using Alex Caruso on Jokic, and the move worked. While some may argue that the Thunder guard was allowed to be a bit more physical than usual, it's on the three-time MVP to adjust. It was a disappointing end for The Joker, who remained the top option in fantasy basketball this season. While Victor Wembanyama (if healthy) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will also deserve consideration for the top pick in redraft leagues, Jokic should be the preferred option for many fantasy managers. |
|
Russell Westbrook Russell Westbrook, Jamal Murray good to go
Sun, May 18, 2025, 9:46 AM
NBA Injury Report
Russell Westbrook (hand) and Jamal Murray (illness) are available for Sunday's Game 7 against the Thunder.
Analysis: Westy and Murray were both listed as probable for Sunday's pivotal matchup, so it's no surprise that both will take the court. Expect both guards to handle their typical workloads. |
|
Hunter Tyson Hunter Tyson (ankle) available for Game 7
Sun, May 18, 2025, 9:41 AM
NBA Injury Report
Hunter Tyson (ankle) is available for Game 7 on Sunday against the Thunder.
Analysis: Tyson has been upgraded to available, but it's unlikely he sees many minutes. He's been out of Denver's rotation throughout the playoffs. |
|
Aaron Gordon Aaron Gordon (hamstring) to start Game 7
Sun, May 18, 2025, 9:26 AM
Shams Charania
Aaron Gordon (hamstring) has been upgraded to available and will start Game 7 against the Thunder on Sunday.
Analysis: Gordon will surprisingly take the court after being diagnosed with an injury that should have kept him out for multiple weeks. How many minutes he plays and how he looks will be things to keep an eye on throughout the winner-take-all contest. |
|
Aaron Gordon Aaron Gordon (hamstring) unlikely to play Sunday
Sun, May 18, 2025, 4:31 AM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports that Aaron Gordon (hamstring) has been diagnosed with a left hamstring strain and is doubtful to play in Sunday's Game 7 against the Thunder.
Analysis: According to Shams, Gordon will need several weeks to recover from the injury. He's been looking for ways to play on Sunday, âbut it is becoming physically improbable to do so.â Gordon hasn't officially been ruled out, but there's little chance he takes the court, which is a devastating blow for Denver. Gordon has averaged 16.8 points and 7.3 boards in the 2025 postseason, and his production will likely be picked up by a committee of Russell Westbrook, Julian Strawther and Peyton Watson. |
|
Aaron Gordon Gordon (hamstring) questionable for Game 7
Sat, May 17, 2025, 12:42 PM
Clemente Almanza
Aaron Gordon (hamstring) and Hunter Tyson (ankle) are officially questionable for Game 7 against the Thunder on Sunday.
Analysis: Gordon is said to be a true game-time decision after he injured his left hamstring in Game 6. His availability appears to be in doubt, though the Nuggets hope he will play. Tyson has missed the last three games with an ankle injury. He wasn't part of the Nuggets' rotation, but could see some minutes if he's healthy and Gordon is out. Russell Westbrook, Julian Strawther and Peyton Watson will all have added importance if Gordon is unavailable. |
|
Russell Westbrook Russell Westbrook (hand) probable for Game 7
Sat, May 17, 2025, 12:36 PM
Clemente Almanza
Russell Westbrook (hand) is probable for Game 7 against the Thunder on Sunday.
Analysis: Westbrook is dealing with a hand sprain that at times seemed to impact his handle in Game 6. Nevertheless, the stakes couldn't be higher for the Nuggets in Game 7 against Oklahoma City on Sunday. It seems likely that Westbrook will be available and he could have added importance if Aaron Gordon (hamstring) is unable to suit up. |
|
Jamal Murray Jamal Murray (illness) probable for Game 7 Sunday
Sat, May 17, 2025, 12:32 PM
Clemente Almanza
Jamal Murray (illness) is probable for Game 7 against the Thunder on Sunday.
Analysis: Murray had 25 points in Game 6 after appearing on the injury report with an illness. He said after the game that there was no way he would sit out with an illness in the playoffs. It's safe to assume that will be the case once again and that Murray will be active as the Nuggets try to advance to the Western Conference finals. |
|
Aaron Gordon Gordon (hamstring) âgame-time' call for Game 7
Sat, May 17, 2025, 8:47 AM
Tyler King
Nuggets interim head coach David Adelman said Aaron Gordon (hamstring) is a âtrue game-time decisionâ for Sunday's Game 7 against the Thunder.
Analysis: Gordon injured his left hamstring during Denver's Game 6 victory on Thursday. While ESPN's Shams Charania reported Friday evening that the forward's status for Game 7 is in serious doubt, the Nuggets are hoping that Gordon will play. He'll be evaluated once he arrives at the arena on Sunday, with the medical staff determining Gordon's availability and, if cleared, how much he can play. Peyton Watson, Russell Westbrook and Julian Strawther will all have heightened importance if Gordon cannot play. |
|
Aaron Gordon Shams: Aaron Gordon diagnosed with strained hammy
Fri, May 16, 2025, 2:34 PM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports Aaron Gordon has been diagnosed with a strained left hamstring.
Analysis: Gordon injured his hamstring during Thursday's Game 6 victory, forcing a decisive Game 7 on Sunday. While Charania did not report the grade of the Nuggets' forward's strain, Gordon's availability for Game 7 is in doubt. Multiple reserves will have added value if the Nuggets are forced to play without their starting power forward. Russell Westbrook, Peyton Watson and Julian Strawther will all be asked to contribute even more than they have in this series. |
|
Jamal Murray Jamal Murray (illness) contributes 25/8/7 line
Thu, May 15, 2025, 5:47 PM
Jamal Murray lit up the Thunder with 25 points (9-of-19 FGs), eight rebounds, seven assists, one block, two three-pointers and five turnovers in Game 6 on Thursday.
Analysis: Murray was a late addition to the injury report with an illness, but he played through it, and it didn't prevent him from having a big night. He scored 11 points in the first quarter and had nine points in the decisive third quarter to help Denver keep its season alive. Murray has been able to step up in big moments in the playoffs throughout his career, and they'll need another big game from him in Game 7 on Sunday to advance to the conference finals. |
|
Nikola Jokic Jokic puts up 29/14/8/2/1 line to force Game 7
Thu, May 15, 2025, 5:43 PM
Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 29 points (9-of-14 FGs, 10-of-12 FTs), 14 rebounds, eight assists, two steals, one block and one three-pointers in a 119-107 win over the Thunder in Game 6 on Thursday.
Analysis: Unsurprisingly, Jokic was dominant to help keep Denver's season alive. His 44-point effort in Game 5 wasn't enough, and while he didn't match that scoring total in this game, he was still able to have a big night. He also finally got past the six-assist mark, which he had done three times this series without surpassing it. That means that Jokic finally got some help from his teammates. Game 7 will be on Sunday in OKC. Expect Jokic to have a monster performance. |
|
Aaron Gordon Adelman: Concern about Gordon's hamstring âhigh'
Thu, May 15, 2025, 5:40 PM
Tim MacMahon
Nuggets interim head coach David Adelman said that concern about Aaron Gordon's hamstring is high after their Game 6 win over the Thunder on Thursday.
Analysis: They'll have two days off before Game 7 on Sunday, so hopefully that will be enough time for Gordon to recover after he tweaked his left hamstring with less than two minutes left in the fourth quarter. It will likely take a significant injury to keep Gordon off the floor for a Game 7, but if that happens, Russell Westbrook, Peyton Watson and Julian Strawther would all have to step up to help fill the void. |
|
Christian Braun Christian Braun pours in 23/11/5/3/1 line
Thu, May 15, 2025, 5:35 PM
Christian Braun stuffed the stat sheet on Thursday with 23 points (8-of-14 FGs), 11 rebounds, five assists, three steals, one block and three three-pointers in Game 6 against the Thunder.
Analysis: It took the best playoff performance of Braun's career, but Denver was able to defend homecourt and force a Game 7. Braun set a new playoff career high for points and contributed value across the board to help keep the Nuggets' season alive. They'll head to OKC for the final game of this series on Sunday. Braun likely won't repeat this type of performance, but they'll need him at his best once again. |
Connect With Us:
