Three Standouts From Nuggets’ First Two Preseason Games vs. Jazz

The Denver Nuggets split their first two preseason games against the Utah Jazz, following a 109-97 loss Sunday with a 117-106 victory Tuesday.

Those results offer an incomplete picture of Denver’s progress. Jamal Murray missed the opener, while Utah played the rematch without Lauri Markkanen and Jusuf Nurkić. The Nuggets also rested their starters during Tuesday’s second half.

Still, the games provided opportunities to evaluate individual contributions before the regular season begins.

Julian Strawther, Aaron Gordon and Nikola Jokić stand out for different reasons. Strawther supplied scoring in both games, Gordon produced efficiently in the opener and led Denver in the rematch, and Jokić showed how much he can influence the offense without taking many shots.

Strawther opened preseason with a team-high 14 points, shooting 6 of 13 from the field. His outside shot was less reliable, as he made only one of six 3-point attempts.

He followed that performance with 15 points Tuesday, making three of four attempts from beyond the arc while adding four rebounds and three assists.

The improvement from outside is encouraging, but the broader takeaway is his ability to contribute offensively in consecutive appearances. Denver benefits from having another perimeter player who can finish possessions without requiring the offense to revolve around him.

His combined 29 points make him a clear early standout. The next test is whether that production remains dependable against stronger rotations and within a more settled role.

Two exhibitions cannot establish that consistency. They can give Strawther a useful foundation and the coaching staff a reason to keep evaluating what he can provide.

Gordon scored 12 points and collected four rebounds in just over 11 minutes Sunday. He made four of eight shots and all three free throws.

On Tuesday, he led Denver with 18 points in the victory.

That production is especially useful given Gordon’s place alongside Denver’s primary creators. He can punish defensive attention directed elsewhere, giving the Nuggets an option who does not need to dominate possession time.

His early scoring also provides a reminder that Denver’s offense becomes harder to contain when opponents must account for more than its guards and center.

The encouraging sign is how much Gordon accomplished within limited preseason work. Maintaining that involvement will matter as Denver brings its regular combinations together.

Jokić scored only three points in Sunday’s opener, attempting one field goal. He still finished with seven assists, three rebounds, a steal and a block in approximately 14 minutes, without committing a turnover.

That is why his scoring total alone misses the value of his appearance.

Jokić can organize Denver’s offense while allowing teammates to take the shots. His passing rewards movement and forces defenders to consider multiple threats even when he is not looking to score.

For players establishing their timing alongside him, those possessions are valuable preparation.

Strawther’s scoring and Gordon’s production deserve attention, but Jokić remains the player who can connect those contributions into a cohesive offense.