Photo: Peter Baba

The Denver Nuggets have recently developed a concerning pattern, struggling to close out games effectively in clutch situations, according to Bennett Durando of The Denver Post.

Late-game execution has become a growing issue for Denver, and the numbers suggest the problem has persisted, and even worsened, since Nikola Jokic returned to the lineup.

The Nuggets currently rank 26th in the league in clutch net rating at -9.9, and that figure drops further to -19.3 when Jokic is on the floor during those moments.

Head coach David Adelman acknowledged the challenge, explaining that injuries, particularly Aaron Gordon’s absence, have disrupted the team’s usual offensive spacing and late-game rhythm.

Adelman said the coaching staff is experimenting with adjustments designed to create easier scoring opportunities for Jokic and Jamal Murray while compensating for Gordon not occupying his typical position near the basket.

“We’re trying to maintain who we are, playing the two-man game without the things that matter behind it,” Adelman said.

“Like, if we play a two-man game with Aaron Gordon, it’s a very different rotation (in help defense) for teams. So you don’t want to scrap something that you know you’re gonna do (in the playoffs), and you’re pre-supposing that those guys are gonna be out there. … We have to figure out a way to finish games when teams are full-rotating to (Jokic and Murray). Sometimes three guys, sometimes four.”

While Durando notes that the sample size of clutch minutes with Jokic back remains relatively small, the trend is still notable and could have meaningful implications as Denver battles for playoff positioning down the stretch of the season.

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