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Nuggets Make Final Nikola Jokic Decision vs Timberwolves

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Coming off his big game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday, Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic was downgraded on the injury report for Saturday’s matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves. According to the official NBA injury report, Jokic is dealing with a left wrist sprain. The Nuggets initially listed him as questionable when they revealed his status on Friday night.

### Nuggets Reveal Nikola Jokic’s Playing Status vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

Although the Nuggets left the door open for a potential night off for Jokic, the veteran center has been officially cleared for action.

When the Nuggets hit the road for a trip that began in Sacramento on November 11, Jokic started the stretch strong with a 35-point, 15-rebound double-double. The Nuggets secured a 122-108 victory over the Kings.

In the following game against the LA Clippers, Jokic logged 33 minutes and once again contributed to a double-double. He scored a season-high 55 points on an impressive 78 percent shooting and pulled down 12 rebounds. The Nuggets won 130-116, extending their winning streak to six games.

The Nuggets are currently on the hunt to become the third team to notch 10 wins in the NBA this season. Their biggest threat at the moment, the Oklahoma City Thunder, holds a 12-1 record, placing them atop the Western Conference.

On the other side of the league, the Detroit Pistons improved to 11-2 after extending their winning streak to nine games with a victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday.

### Jokic Continues MVP-Level Performance

For the Nuggets, Jokic is once again looking like a potential frontrunner for the league’s MVP award. He has won the honor three out of the last five seasons and finished second in the two years he didn’t.

Last year, Jokic averaged 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.8 assists per game. This season, he is putting up 28.8 points per game while shooting 68 percent from the field and 41 percent from three-point range. Additionally, he is pulling down a career-high 13.1 rebounds per game and producing a career-best 10.9 assists per game.

Jokic will get a chance to continue building on another MVP-caliber campaign on Saturday night against Minnesota.
https://www.newsweek.com/sports/nba/nuggets-make-final-nikola-jokic-decision-timberwolves-11054310

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Austin Reaves drops humble admission after game-winner vs. Timberwolves

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The Los Angeles Lakers’ current two-game road trip got off to a thrilling start after Austin Reaves sank a game-winner to bury the Minnesota Timberwolves, 116-115. The shot capped off what’s been a massive week for Reaves, beginning with his career-high 51 points he dropped on the Sacramento Kings last Sunday in a win.

Following the win against the Timberwolves, Austin Reaves remained humble when speaking about the game-winner and his hectic week so far, as per ESPN.

“I’m still not gonna talk about myself,” Reaves said. “It’s fun, I love to play the game of basketball. Obviously I wouldn’t be able to do any of it without our coaching staff believing in me, the players believing in me, and just having so much joy playing basketball. It’s fun. Just guys stepping up after people going down, it’s big.”

The Lakers have dealt with major injury issues to start the year, beginning with LeBron James’ season debut delayed due to a nerve injury. Matters were made worse when it was announced that Luka Dončić would be sidelined for at least one week as he battles both a finger and a leg injury.

But with the Lakers’ star duo sidelined, Reaves has made the case that it should be a star trio instead. Following his 51 points against the Kings, he dropped 41 points in a loss to the Portland Trail Blazers as the Lakers were extremely short-handed. And then came the game-winner against the Timberwolves.

Lakers head coach JJ Redick has mentioned how one of the ways in which he challenged Reaves was to take on more of a leadership role. He’s made it a point to convey to Reaves that this team is as much his as it is James’ or Dončić’s.

After the Lakers grabbed the win against the Wolves, Redick explained why he has unwavering confidence in Reaves, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN.

“That guy is going to show up in the big moments,” Redick said. “Not surprised. He’s done that many times in his career, he’s done many times since I’ve been his coach. I feel very comfortable with him making decisions in late game.”

Reaves had appeared in all four of the Lakers’ games this season coming into Wednesday’s matchup against the Wolves. He had been averaging 35.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 8.5 assists, and 1.8 steals with shooting splits of 57.3 percent from the field, 42.9 percent from three-point range, and 88.2 percent from the free-throw line. He also was leading the league in free-throw attempts at 12.8 per game.

This offseason is shaping up to be a big one for Reaves, as he can opt out of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent. Reaves turned down a contract extension from the Lakers this past offseason, but that does not necessarily mean he won’t be in purple and gold for years to come. Financially, it’s better for him to opt out and re-sign on a longer deal with the Lakers once the season is over.

If he keeps up this level of play, an All-Star appearance might be in the not-so-distant future.
https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-austin-reaves-humble-admission-game-winner-timberwolves

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Lakers’ Austin Reaves drops the mic with perfect reaction to 51-point stunner

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The Los Angeles Lakers were coming off a huge win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night, highlighted by Luka Doncic’s stellar start to the season. Doncic followed up his 43-point effort on opening night with a 49-point masterpiece in a 128-110 victory. However, during that contest, Doncic suffered multiple injuries that will sideline him for at least a week, putting the already shorthanded Lakers in an even tougher position.

But on Sunday night, Austin Reaves took it upon himself to carry the Lakers as he inched closer to superstardom. Even though the Lakers were missing both Doncic and LeBron James, with the latter still recovering from nerve problems in his back, Reaves ensured that the Purple and Gold stayed on the winning track.

Reaves put up a bonkers career-high 51 points in a 127-120 win over division rival Sacramento Kings. He left Sacramento’s defense helpless at every turn, showcasing his emergence as a full-blown superstar. This performance is the latest piece of evidence pointing toward that fact.

While the Kings may not be the toughest opposition, going on the road and scoring 51 points—dismantling defenders like Dennis Schroder and Russell Westbrook—is a mark of a player who has truly taken the leap. And what better way for the Lakers to cap off Reaves’ career night than with a huge win.

“All that matters is that we won,” Reaves said with a huge smile during his postgame interview with Mike Trudell of Spectrum SportsNet. “We got another tough one tomorrow night. Quick turnaround. We’ll be right back at it.” (Fast forward to 1:20.)

Reaves became just the fifth player in a Lakers uniform to score over 50 points since the turn of the century, joining legends LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, and Anthony Davis—a feat he doesn’t take lightly.

“I don’t deserve all that. I grew up watching all those guys. I ain’t got no words,” Reaves added humbly.

### Austin Reaves Completes Leap to Superstardom for the Lakers

Reaves began his career as a Laker back in Summer League, impressing coaches with his hustle and ability to be a “glue guy” on offense. But he has since blossomed into a major force all on his own. If he continues this kind of incredible play, he might be in line for his first All-Star season.

Of course, it will be impossible for him to score 50 points every night. But the Lakers will need him to continue stepping up in a similar fashion as they await the return of both Doncic and James.
https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-austin-reaves-drops-the-mic-with-perfect-reaction-to-51-point-stunner