Denver Nuggets

Mudiay and Nuggets Turning Around? DEN vs. NYK Takeaways

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 3:47 p.m. ET

Fansided, Tim Hart/FanSided via Nugg Love

Dec 17, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Will Barton (5) and forward Danilo Gallinari (8) celebrate after a play in the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 127-114. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Nuggets handed a blowout loss to the New York Knicks Saturday night 114-127, matching their season high winning-streak, and putting them in 9th place in the Western Conference.

…if Mudiay can keep his head on straight for the rest of the season, then Denver can easily grab that 8th place spot, and might even finish a bit higher.

The Nuggets look like a completely different team with all players back from injury, as they now rest of the cusp of playoff position. Keeping the positive momentum going will be key, as Denver faces the 20-7 LA Clippers in two of their next 4 match-ups, which could send t the team back down a couple notches in western team- rankings.

On the other hand, Denver’s record could very likely see a sustained climb, as 5 of their next 8 match-ups are against teams with losing records. But before we start getting ahead of ourselves, let’s take a look at some key takeaways from Saturday’s match-up, and dissect just what led to the blowout win.

Dec 15, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone (left) talks with Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15) during the first half at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 132-120. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Once again, Nikola Jokic helped set the tone, giving the Nuggets an early first quarter lead that they never gave up.

Eventually, the Nuggets expanded upon this early lead, as they won the game by 13 points, which was a margin slightly deflated by some garbage time. Nikola Jokic saw limited minutes (just 20min), once again due to foul trouble, but still managed to play well. He had logged 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 5 points by the end of the 1st quarter, which led the Nuggets to a double-digit first quarter lead that they would ultimately uphold. In the end, Nikola logged 9reb, 5ast, and 10pts, but it was his dominance early that once again set the tone for the Nuggets, making them poised for a game of high-energy team-basketball.

Jokic’s deft passing abilities were on full display at the start of this game, and his teammates seemed inspired to follow his lead. In the end, Denver totaled 26 assists. As was the case in Thursday’s win against the Trailblazers, every Nuggets starter logged at least 2 assists. On top of that, the ball movement wasn’t just present, but accurate, as Denver only committed 7 team turnovers. In their last two games, both momentous victories, the Nuggets are averaging 26.5 assists to just 8.5 turnovers. That sort of efficiency has eluded Denver this season, until now.

The passing was there, and in scoring, everyone seemed to get involved. Seven different Nuggets players finished with double-digit scoring, including all 5 Nuggets starters. Jokic scored 10pts, Chandler had 13pts, Gallo finished with 14pts, Harris had 16 and Barton had 17, but it was Emmanuel Mudiay and Kenneth Faried who ultimately stole the show. Together, Mudy and the Manimal combined for 47 points on 20-26 shooting.

Dec 17, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; New York Knicks guard Brandon Jennings (3) guards Denver Nuggets guard Emmanuel Mudiay (0) in the fourth quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 127-114. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Mudiay finished with an uncharacteristically efficient line, going 10-15 from the field, and 2-3 from downtown (for his second game in a row), scoring 22 points and logging 5 assists to just 1 turnover. Mudiay also used his size and athleticism to grab 7 rebounds, and slam home a couple of highlight dunks as well. Watching this young man play composed, confident basketball is a thing of beauty, which speaks to the 20 year-old guard’s bright future.

Kenneth Faried showed those watching just why he is called the Manimal, by offering more than a handful of high-flying alley-oop slams and big-man power-dunks. Faried led the Nuggets in scoring, with 25 points on a near-perfect shooting night, as he went 10-11 from the field. He also ended with 7 rebounds and three blocks, a crucial stat that speaks to his defensive contributions towards the blowout win.

Nov 27, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (center) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Nuggets defeated the Suns 118-114. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Faried ended with a +16, which was only outdone by Gary Harris’s +20. Harris’s return is obviously huge for Denver, as his active defense, smart offense, and chemistry boost have all been sorely missed up until now. Every Nuggets player seems more comfortable with Gary back in the rotation, but none more Emmanuel Mudiay.

Dec 17, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; New York Knicks guard Brandon Jennings (3) and forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) defend Denver Nuggets guard Emmanuel Mudiay (0) in the second quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Fans have long-awaited a sort of mental breakthrough for Emmanuel Mudiay, as his talent has always been there, if only held back by immaturity on the court.

Mudiay has shown streaks of greatness before, but hopefully this one is not short-lived. After a humiliating smack-down from the last-place Dallas Mavericks, and now with the return of fellow young starting guard Gary Harris, Emmanuel Mudiay has found himself in a position to completely turn the season around for himself and his team.

Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Emmanuel might not be the sole power-source for this Nuggets team, but they do seem to live and die by him. When Mudiay plays well, Denver gets wins. That’s a simple fact. In his past two games, Mudiay has shot 62% from the field, 67% from downtown, and produced an assist-to-turnover difference of +4.

He is playing with a more well-tuned basketball IQ, and has blown out his season averages of 35% shooting, 29% from downtown, and an assist-to-turnover difference of just +0.7. Emmanuel just needs to keep playing smart basketball, and the rest will come to him. If he can sustain this recent turnaround, then he may become a candidate for the NBA’s most-improved player award.

Only time will tell, and it’s his momentum to lose. Nuggets fans already know that Emmanuel can be his own worst enemy. But if Mudiay can keep his head on straight for the rest of the season, then Denver can easily grab that 8th place spot, and might even finish a bit higher.

He alone will not be the deciding factor though, as player-health is proving to be an obvious must for Denver’s sustained success. But regardless of where the season goes, this recent burst of solid all around team-basketball has been incredibly refreshing.