The Denver Nuggets came out playing the right way and finished that way too, defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 101-82 in Game 2 of the Summer League schedule. In the middle they let the game get tied up again and even trailed briefly in the third quarter, but they closed the fourth with a flourish. New draftee Trevon Brazile did not play, as he reportedly got a shoulder strain in the first Summer League game. Bryce Hopkins, who was the star of Game 1, didn’t have the same kind of shooting performance as he was 6-for-13 for 16 points but added 7 rebounds and 2 assists and flashed the kind of toughness and athleticism he’ll need in the NBA. KJ Simpson had a more uneven Game 1 and redeemed himself by orchestrating the offense as well as providing plenty of moxie, with 19 points on 15 shots including 3 threes, and 4 assists. Eric Stevenson had 18 points with 4 threes and nifty dunk, and Osayu Osifo delivered 13 points and 5 rebounds in 7 fourth-quarter minutes to change the flow of the game.

Game Flow

Q1
KJ Simpson started the game with a turnover for Denver, but hit a nice jumper the next time down. Bryce Hopkins had his shot blocked by Rocco Zikarsky, but Eric Stevenson hit a three and Hopkins showed his explosiveness in transition with a layup through contact. Simpson got fouled after getting a steal, then buried a deep three for a 10-2 early Nuggets lead. Hopkins had a couple nice defensive rebounds. Nuggets big man Efe Abogidi buried a surprising three, then caught a bounce pass from Simpson for a finish, showing off some skills. The Wolves started to make shots, but Abogidi hit another three to make it 20-10 Denver. The point guards for both teams came out and the offenses slowed to a crawl, and Enrique Freeman for the Wolves hit his head on the hardwood and cut his eyebrow open, and had to go back to the locker room. DeJon Jarreau had a nice defensive play and also a good finish, and Denver finished the quarter up 26-13 after a buzzer three off the glass for the Wolves was waived off on review.

Q2
Jahmi’us Ramsey made a corner three for Denver to push the lead higher, and then TJ Bamba answered a Zikarsky oop finish with another three for the Nuggets. The Wolves remained ice-cold from the court, shooting around 20% with 7 minutes to go in the half. Minnesota crashed the offensive glass though and after a couple of makes and a Simpson back-court turnover it was cut to 32-23 Denver. Minnesota went on a 14-2 run as Denver played flat-footed and the Wolves pushed in transition and attacked the hoop in the half court since they couldn’t shoot. Simpson had his attempted pass off a drive blocked, Hopkins missed an open three, and another Isaiah Evans transition finish cut the lead to 35-31. Simpson finally made a three to halt the Minnesota run, Adobigi got a nice steal for Denver, and Hopkins assisted Simpson on another 3 to take the Denver lead back to 10. Hopkins had a great rebound and putback in traffic off an Adobigi miss, and both Simpson and Hopkins got back to the line as both men attacked the paint. Matthew Murrell buried a great last-second three off a Simpson assist and Denver went into the half up 52-39.

Q3

Hopkins came out early with a rise-and-dunk two-handed attempt where he was met at the top by Zikarsky and a foul was not called. He looked annoyed but hit a paint pullup instead on the same possession. He missed another 3 for Denver however, and the Wolves cut the deficit to 61-52. Jarreau had a nice slashing finish, then missed a long pullup. Again KJ Simpson left the floor and immediately there were turnovers and passes that bounced off the backs of Denver jerseys. The Wolves tied the game at 65 as they kept up the rim pressure and Denver lost their offensive organization. Wolves point guard Zyon Pullin lit up Denver in the 3rd quarter but he sat for the final minute and Simpson came back in for Denver, and Denver finished the quarter up just 1, 73-72.

Q4
Zidarsky opened the final frame with a Wolves dunk. Hopkins tipped in a Jarreau miss, Erik Stevenson hit a floater and then a Simpson-assisted dunk sandwiched around a Donovan Williams dunk for the Wolves. Hopkins had a terrific spin and finish at the rim to show off his NBA-level athleticism, then shouldered some space for himself to hit a 12-foot stepback as Denver went up 86-80 on another smooth Stevenson make. Mitchell had a paint block for Denver, but KJ Simpson couldn’t get it in the hoop on a couple of chances. Osifo had a great finish through contact to put Denver up 93-80 though and Denver took control of the game. Osifo then tipped in a Hopkins miss as he greatly affected the game down the stretch with his physicality and Denver coasted to a 101-82 win.

Final Thoughts

It was good to see the Nuggets come out and play hard the whole time. The difference between having KJ Simpson on the court and having him off was night-and-day, which is good for his audition to make the team. He controlled the offense, made enough shots, played hard on defense and was a real leader despite his lower assist totals and 6-for-15 efficiency. The offense fell apart when he was on the bench – they needed him and he delivered the floor generalship. Osifo also should get an immediate camp invite if he doesn’t have one already – he really turned the flow of the fourth quarter with his physicality and energy.

Also, here’s a short Christian Braun interview from the sidelines in Game 2.