The 2021–22 Denver Nuggets season was the 46th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA), and the franchise's 55th season of existence overall. The Nuggets entered the season after a second-round loss at the hands of the eventual Western Conference champion Phoenix Suns.[1] They finished the season 48–34. Still, they lost to the eventual champion Golden State Warriors in five games in the first round.[2] The two teams previously met in the first round of the 2013 playoffs in which the Warriors defeated the Nuggets in six games. Nikola Jokić was awarded the NBA MVP Award for the second consecutive season.[3]
2021–22 Denver Nuggets season | |
---|---|
Head coach | Michael Malone |
General manager | Calvin Booth |
President | Tim Connelly |
Owners | Ann Walton Kroenke |
Arena | Ball Arena |
Results | |
Record | 48–34 (.585) |
Place | Division: 2nd (Northwest) Conference: 6th (Western) |
Playoff finish | First Round (lost to Warriors 1–4) |
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
Local media | |
Television | Altitude Sports and Entertainment |
Radio | KKSE |
Injuries marred the team as it missed two of its young core stars.[4] Jamal Murray was rumored to return from his torn ACL suffered the previous April but sat out the entire campaign, while Michael Porter Jr. would appear in only nine games before needing surgery again on his back in November.[5] Porter Jr. was set to be the secondary scoring option to Jokić in the absence of Murray.[6]
Draft
editRound | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | School / club team |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 26 | Nah'Shon Hyland | PG/SG | United States | VCU (So.) |
The Nuggets owned one first-round pick in the draft, having their second round pick traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder via the Philadelphia 76ers and Golden State Warriors.[7]
Roster
editPlayers | Coaches | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Roster |
Standings
editDivision
editNorthwest Division | W | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Div | GP |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
y – Utah Jazz | 49 | 33 | .598 | – | 29–12 | 20–21 | 15–1 | 82 |
x – Denver Nuggets | 48 | 34 | .585 | 1.0 | 23–18 | 25–16 | 6–10 | 82 |
x – Minnesota Timberwolves | 46 | 36 | .561 | 3.0 | 26–15 | 20–21 | 12–4 | 82 |
Portland Trail Blazers | 27 | 55 | .329 | 22.0 | 17–24 | 10–31 | 1–15 | 82 |
Oklahoma City Thunder | 24 | 58 | .293 | 25.0 | 12–29 | 12–29 | 6–10 | 82 |
Conference
editWestern Conference | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
# | Team | W | L | PCT | GB | GP |
1 | z – Phoenix Suns * | 64 | 18 | .780 | – | 82 |
2 | y – Memphis Grizzlies * | 56 | 26 | .683 | 8.0 | 82 |
3 | x – Golden State Warriors | 53 | 29 | .646 | 11.0 | 82 |
4 | x – Dallas Mavericks | 52 | 30 | .634 | 12.0 | 82 |
5 | y – Utah Jazz * | 49 | 33 | .598 | 15.0 | 82 |
6 | x – Denver Nuggets | 48 | 34 | .585 | 16.0 | 82 |
7 | x – Minnesota Timberwolves | 46 | 36 | .561 | 18.0 | 82 |
8 | pi – Los Angeles Clippers | 42 | 40 | .512 | 22.0 | 82 |
9 | x – New Orleans Pelicans | 36 | 46 | .439 | 28.0 | 82 |
10 | pi − San Antonio Spurs | 34 | 48 | .415 | 30.0 | 82 |
11 | Los Angeles Lakers | 33 | 49 | .402 | 31.0 | 82 |
12 | Sacramento Kings | 30 | 52 | .366 | 34.0 | 82 |
13 | Portland Trail Blazers | 27 | 55 | .329 | 37.0 | 82 |
14 | Oklahoma City Thunder | 24 | 58 | .293 | 40.0 | 82 |
15 | Houston Rockets | 20 | 62 | .244 | 44.0 | 82 |
Game log
editPreseason
edit2021 preseason game log Total: 1–4 (home: 0–3; road: 1–1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Preseason: 1–4 (home: 0–3; road: 1–1)
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2021–22 preseason schedule |
Regular season
edit2021–22 game log Total: 48–34 (home: 23–18; road: 25–16) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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October: 4–2 (home: 2–1; road: 2–1)
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November: 6–8 (home: 5–3; road: 1–5)
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December: 7–6 (home: 1–2; road: 6–4)
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January: 11–5 (home: 5–3; road: 6–2)
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February: 8–4 (home: 4–1; road: 4–3)
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March: 10–6 (home: 5–5; road: 5–1)
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April: 2–3 (home: 1–3; road: 1–0)
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2021–22 season schedule |
Playoffs
edit2022 playoff game log Total: 1–4 (home: 1–1; road: 0–3) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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First Round: 1–4 (home: 1–1; road: 0–3)
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Player statistics
editGP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
FG% | Field-goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field-goal percentage | FT% | Free-throw percentage |
RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game |
Regular season
editPlayer | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Will Barton | 71 | 71 | 32.1 | .438 | .365 | .803 | 4.8 | 3.9 | .8 | .4 | 14.7 |
Bol Bol | 14 | 0 | 5.8 | .556 | .250 | .400 | 1.4 | .4 | .1 | .1 | 2.4 |
Facundo Campazzo | 65 | 4 | 18.2 | .361 | .301 | .769 | 1.8 | 3.4 | 1.0 | .4 | 5.1 |
Vlatko Čančar | 15 | 1 | 11.7 | .561 | .583 | .643 | 2.1 | 1.1 | .1 | .2 | 4.1 |
Petr Cornelie | 13 | 0 | 2.9 | .333 | .125 | .750 | 1.1 | .2 | .1 | .1 | 1.1 |
DeMarcus Cousins | 31 | 2 | 13.9 | .456 | .324 | .736 | 5.5 | 1.7 | .6 | .4 | 8.9 |
PJ Dozier | 18 | 0 | 18.9 | .364 | .313 | .769 | 3.5 | 1.6 | .6 | .3 | 5.4 |
James Ennis III | 3 | 0 | 4.7 | .333 | .000 | .000 | .7 | 1.0 | .0 | .0 | 1.3 |
Bryn Forbes | 35 | 1 | 17.4 | .424 | .410 | .921 | .9 | 1.0 | .2 | .1 | 8.6 |
Aaron Gordon | 75 | 75 | 31.7 | .520 | .335 | .743 | 5.9 | 2.5 | .6 | .6 | 15.0 |
JaMychal Green | 67 | 8 | 16.2 | .486 | .266 | .871 | 4.2 | .9 | .6 | .4 | 6.4 |
Jeff Green | 75 | 63 | 24.7 | .524 | .315 | .833 | 3.1 | 1.3 | .4 | .4 | 10.3 |
Markus Howard | 31 | 0 | 5.7 | .386 | .400 | .870 | .4 | .2 | .3 | .0 | 4.1 |
Bones Hyland | 69 | 4 | 19.0 | .403 | .366 | .856 | 2.7 | 2.8 | .6 | .3 | 10.1 |
Nikola Jokić | 74 | 74 | 33.5 | .583 | .337 | .810 | 13.8 | 7.9 | 1.5 | .9 | 27.1 |
Carlik Jones | 2 | 0 | 2.0 | .500 | .000 | .000 | .0 | .0 | .0 | .0 | 1.0 |
Monté Morris | 75 | 74 | 29.9 | .484 | .395 | .869 | 3.0 | 4.4 | .7 | .2 | 12.6 |
Zeke Nnaji | 41 | 1 | 17.0 | .516 | .463 | .631 | 3.6 | .4 | .4 | .3 | 6.6 |
Michael Porter Jr. | 9 | 9 | 29.4 | .359 | .208 | .556 | 6.6 | 1.9 | 1.1 | .2 | 9.9 |
Davon Reed | 48 | 5 | 13.9 | .503 | .430 | .667 | 2.3 | 1.1 | .5 | .2 | 4.4 |
Austin Rivers | 67 | 18 | 22.1 | .417 | .342 | .727 | 1.7 | 1.3 | .8 | .1 | 6.0 |
Rayjon Tucker | 3 | 0 | 9.7 | .500 | .000 | .750 | 1.3 | 1.3 | .3 | .0 | 2.0 |
Playoffs
editPlayer | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Will Barton | 5 | 5 | 34.4 | .409 | .393 | .667 | 5.6 | 2.8 | .8 | .2 | 13.8 |
Facundo Campazzo | 4 | 0 | 3.3 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .8 | .5 | .0 | .0 | .0 |
Vlatko Čančar | 2 | 0 | 4.5 | .667 | .500 | .000 | 1.0 | .5 | .0 | .0 | 2.5 |
DeMarcus Cousins | 5 | 0 | 11.4 | .655 | .667 | .733 | 3.4 | 1.2 | .6 | .2 | 10.6 |
Bryn Forbes | 5 | 0 | 15.2 | .400 | .364 | .800 | .6 | 1.4 | .2 | .0 | 4.0 |
Aaron Gordon | 5 | 5 | 32.0 | .426 | .200 | .714 | 7.2 | 2.6 | .4 | 1.2 | 13.8 |
JaMychal Green | 5 | 0 | 13.8 | .375 | .200 | 1.000 | 2.4 | .4 | .0 | .2 | 4.0 |
Jeff Green | 5 | 5 | 22.6 | .353 | .375 | .800 | 3.6 | .4 | .6 | .4 | 3.8 |
Bones Hyland | 5 | 0 | 17.4 | .361 | .348 | .857 | 2.0 | 3.2 | .2 | .0 | 9.2 |
Nikola Jokić | 5 | 5 | 34.2 | .575 | .278 | .848 | 13.2 | 5.8 | 1.6 | 1.0 | 31.0 |
Monté Morris | 5 | 5 | 31.2 | .490 | .423 | .750 | 2.2 | 5.4 | 1.2 | .0 | 14.0 |
Zeke Nnaji | 2 | 0 | 4.5 | 1.000 | 1.000 | .000 | .0 | .0 | .0 | .0 | 1.5 |
Austin Rivers | 5 | 0 | 21.6 | .444 | .333 | 1.000 | .6 | 1.2 | 1.4 | .2 | 4.2 |
Transactions
editOverview
editPlayers Added Via draft Via trade Via free agency |
Players Lost Via trade Via free agency Waived |
Trades
editJanuary 19, 2022[10] | Three-team trade | |
To Denver Nuggets
|
To Boston Celtics | |
To San Antonio Spurs
|
Failed Bol Bol trade
editOn 10 January 2022, the Nuggets attempted to trade Bol Bol and draft compensation to the Detroit Pistons for Rodney McGruder.[11][12] The trade unraveled three days later, however, as Bol failed his physical examination. Thereafter, the transaction was voided; Bol and McGruder stayed with their respective teams.[13] On 19 January, the Nuggets traded Bol again (along with PJ Dozier), this time to the Boston Celtics, as part of a three-team deal.[14]
Free agency
editRe-signed
editDate | Player | Contract terms | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
August 11, 2021 | Will Barton | 2 Years, $30 million | [15] |
August 15, 2021 | Markus Howard | Two-way contract | [16] |
August 19, 2021 | JaMychal Green | 2 Years, $16.4 million 2022-23 Player Option |
[17] |
September 1, 2021 | Austin Rivers | 1 Year, $2.4 million | [18] |
September 28, 2021 | Aaron Gordon | 4 Years, $87 million | [19] |
September 29, 2021 | Michael Porter Jr. | 5 Years, $172 million Max Extension |
[20] |
Additions
editDate | Player | Contract terms | Former team | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
August 12, 2021 | Jeff Green | 2 Years, $9 million 2022–23 Player Option |
Brooklyn Nets | [21] |
September 17, 2021 | Petr Cornelie | Two-way contract | Élan Béarnais | [22] |
December 4, 2021 December 19, 2021 December 30, 2021 January 9, 2022 |
Davon Reed | 10-day contract 10-day contract 10-day contract Two-way contract |
Grand Rapids Gold | [23] [24] [25] [26] |
December 31, 2021 | Rayjon Tucker | 10-day contract | Minnesota Timberwolves | [27] |
January 1, 2022 | Carlik Jones | 10-day contract | Dallas Mavericks | [28] |
January 10, 2022 | James Ennis III | 10-day contract | Los Angeles Clippers | [29] |
January 21, 2022 | DeMarcus Cousins | 10-day contract | Milwaukee Bucks | [30] |
Subtractions
editDate | Player | Reason | New team | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
August 16, 2021 | JaVale McGee | Free Agency | Phoenix Suns | [31] |
September 10, 2021 | Paul Millsap | Free Agency | Brooklyn Nets | [32] |
September 27, 2021 | Shaquille Harrison | Free Agency | Philadelphia 76ers | [33] |
January 9, 2022 | Petr Cornelie | Waived | Grand Rapids Gold | [26] |
January 11, 2022 | Rayjon Tucker | Free Agency | Wisconsin Herd | [34] |
Carlik Jones | Free Agency | Texas Legends | [34] | |
January 21, 2022 | James Ennis III | Free Agency | Hapoel Haifa |
See also
editNotes
editReferences
edit- ^ "MVP Nikola Jokic ejected, Suns sweep Nuggets 125-118". ESPN. June 13, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
- ^ "Nuggets go cold from 3, eliminated from playoffs in Game 5 loss to Warriors". KKTV. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
- ^ "Nuggets' Nikola Jokic wins 2021-22 Kia Most Valuable Player award". NBA.com. May 12, 2022. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
- ^ "Michael Porter Jr.'s Third Back Surgery Puts the Nuggets' Bright Future in Jeopardy". The Ringer. November 29, 2021. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
- ^ "Injury Updates Given On Jamal Murray And Michael Porter Jr". SI Fannation. July 25, 2022. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
- ^ "Michael Porter Jr. Will Get His Moment … If He's Ready for It". The Ringer. October 13, 2021. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
- ^ "2021 NBA draft order: Complete picks for the first and second round". ESPN. June 22, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
- ^ "NBA postpones 5 upcoming games due to Health and Safety Protocols". NBA.com. December 19, 2021. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
- ^ "NBA postpones tonight's Warriors-Nuggets game". NBA.com. December 30, 2021. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
- ^ "Denver Nuggets Acquire Bryn Forbes in Three-Team Trade". NBA.com. January 19, 2022. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
- ^ "Nuggets Acquire Rodney McGruder". NBA.com. January 10, 2022. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
- ^ "Nuggets trade Bol Bol to Pistons for McGruder, draft pick". AP News. January 11, 2022. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
- ^ "Report: Bol Bol fails physical, Pistons void trade with Nuggets". NBC Sports. January 13, 2022. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
- ^ "Report: Bol Bol to Celtics, Bryn Forbes to Nuggets in 3-Team Trade with Spurs". Bleacher Report. January 19, 2022. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
- ^ "Denver Nuggets re-sign free agent Will Barton III". NBA.com. August 11, 2021. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
- ^ "Denver Nuggets Sign Markus Howard to Two-Way Contract". NBA.com. August 15, 2021. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
- ^ "Denver Nuggets Re-sign JaMychal Green". NBA.com. August 19, 2021. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
- ^ "Denver Nuggets Re-Sign Austin Rivers". NBA.com. September 1, 2021. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
- ^ "Denver Nuggets Extend Aaron Gordon". NBA.com. September 28, 2021. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
- ^ "Nuggets Sign Michael Porter Jr. to Contract Extension". NBA.com. September 29, 2021. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
- ^ "Denver Nuggets sign Jeff Green". NBA.com. August 12, 2021. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
- ^ "Nuggets Sign Petr Cornelie to Two-Way Contract". NBA.com. September 17, 2021. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
- ^ "Denver Nuggets Sign Davon Reed to 10-Day Contract". NBA.com. December 4, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
- ^ "Denver Nuggets Sign Davon Reed to 10-Day Contract". NBA.com. December 19, 2021. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
- ^ "Denver Nuggets Sign Davon Reed to 10-Day Contract". NBA.com. December 30, 2021. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
- ^ a b "Denver Nuggets Sign Davon Reed to Two-Way Contract". NBA.com. January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
- ^ "Denver Nuggets Sign Rayjon Tucker to 10-Day Contract". NBA.com. December 31, 2021. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
- ^ "Denver Nuggets Sign Carlik Jones to 10-Day Contract". NBA.com. January 1, 2022. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
- ^ "Denver Nuggets Sign James Ennis III to 10-Day Contract". NBA.com. January 10, 2022. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
- ^ "Denver Nuggets Sign DeMarcus Cousins to 10-Day Contract". NBA.com. January 21, 2022. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
- ^ "SUNS SIGN JAVALE MCGEE". NBA.com. August 16, 2021. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
- ^ "BROOKLYN NETS SIGN PAUL MILLSAP". NBA.com. September 10, 2021. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
- ^ Lauren Rosen [@LaurenMRosen] (September 27, 2021). "The @sixers make it official: The team has signed Shaquille Harrison. Harrison will wear No. 8" (Tweet). Retrieved September 27, 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ a b "NBA G League Transactions". GLeague.com. January 11, 2022. Retrieved January 16, 2022.