Westbrook went for 25 points, two steals, two blocks and a corner three with 1:28 to go that doubled Denver’s lead. Sacramento did not go quietly — Zach LaVine answered 20 seconds later to creep back within one score — but the Nuggets made the stops and free throws necessary to escape.

In the latest Nuggets Ink podcast, Bennett Durando and Matt Schubert reconvene after a long road trip for Nikola Jokic’s crew.

Malone, who has roamed the Nuggets’ sideline for 10 seasons, credited Popovich with helping him get hired by Cleveland (2005) and New Orleans (2010) as an assistant, en route to his first head coaching job with Sacramento. Now he’s the fourth-longest tenured coach in the league with Denver, behind only Popovich, Erik Spoelstra and Steve Kerr.

The Nuggets almost survived to Jokic’s return. They were down 88-84. The last minute without him was a near-death sentence, though. Sam Hauser knocked down a transition drive-and-kick 3-pointer to bring the house down with 8:11 to go, highlighting a 6-0 burst.

Strawther’s injury puts him on track to return late in the regular season. How will Nuggets coach Michael Malone manage the rotation until then?

After losing to the Cavaliers in their previous game, the defending champion Celtics got to the paint against the Nuggets more often. It was a winning formula.

What can the Nuggets expect in the playoffs? Opposing defenses will dare non-shooters to shoot, yes, but offenses will target perceived weaknesses on Denver’s defensive end, too.

Two-time All-Star Isaiah Thomas is in the G-League attempting an NBA comeback. Here's what his former coach Michael Malone had to say.

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The Denver Nuggets suffered a 123-100 blowout loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night. Following the matchup against the new and improved Lakers led by young star Luka Doncic, Nuggets head coach Michael Malone spoke with the media.

Most of Zeke Nnaji’s work this season has been done in the background, after games. He’s taking advantage of a moment in the foreground now.