The Denver Nuggets played one of their worst games of the season against one of the NBA’s best teams.
Head coach David Adelman knows that, and was quick to point out his team’s flaws after an embarrassing 149-106 loss.
“We got punked. They came out with the right intensity and we didn’t…we aren’t just going to flush this.” Adelman said.
“We have to be better and we know that.”
David Adelman’s initial reaction to the Game 2 loss.
“We got punked. They came out with the right intensity and we didn’t…we aren’t just going to flush this.”
“We have to be better and we know that.” pic.twitter.com/QEYiQysSsH
— Katy Winge (@katywinge) May 8, 2025
Nikola Jokić led the Nuggets with 17 points, but fouled out in the third quarter.
“I think for these guys, sometimes it’s hard when you rotate them in, and it’s Nikola’s (rest) minutes,” Adelman said, “and you’re saying, ‘Hey, go make an impact,’ when our whole system is based around playing through him.”
The series is now split at 1-1 heading to Denver. Still, the Nuggets were less than satisfied with how the second game of the series went.
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“Obviously, we didn’t like the outcome of this game, but we did what we came here to do and that was get home court.” Aaron Gordon said.
Game 3 of the series is set for 7 p.m. PST on Friday.
“It’s not the first punch, I think, with this team. It’s when they rotate guys in,” Adelman said. “You have to take a couple punches early. It’s not just their starting five that is so exceptional. It’s the energy of Caruso, the different ways they can go. … This is not a top-heavy team. This is a ‘come at you in a million different ways’ kind of team.”
