The Nuggets did Spencer Jones last-minute scratch before Thursday night’s season opener in Oklahoma City, writes Bennett Durando of The Denver Post. The backup forward dealt with a hamstring issue from training camp, but he told reporters over the weekend when he expected to be ready to play. The team decided it wasn’t worth the risk, fearing he might take more damage in the damaged area.
“He’s been through the whole day, the whole process. We’re not going to play him tonight.” coach David Adelman – said at a meeting with media representatives before the game. “It’s not a serious thing, just a precaution. It’s one of those injuries that could turn out to be a serious thing.”
Denver is counting on Jones to bolster a reserve unit that has been depleted by summer departures. He believes that playing time after the team will be expanded coincide a offer letter for two years he received from thunder in July.
According to Durand, Adelman expected Jones to be available Wednesday night, but after he participated in Thursday’s morning shootaround, he was reevaluated and the decision was made to hold him out.
“Today was one of those ‘longest days’ in the NBA. So we had a lot of opportunities to get him checked out.” said Adelman, whose team had a nationally televised late game. “And there was enough concern that you can’t lose a backup power forward on the opening night. I just think it’s a smart play. Not to mention that sometimes when guys don’t play, it gives you an opportunity. … I think it’s instructive when you look at your roster. So be careful with Spence, giving other people opportunities.”
More on the Nuggets:
- Cameron Johnson left the game after spraining his right ankle late in the first half, Durando adds in a a separate story. Johnson was listed as questionable after the coaches examined him at halftime, but he did not return and Alpha Dial took a place in the starting line-up for the second half.
- Trevon Brazile joined DeMar DeRozan as the first substitute from the bench, Durando tweetsand the rookie forward had 12 rebounds in 18 minutes in his NBA debut.
- U another pieceDeRozan tells Durand he’s ready to take on the challenge of being a bench player for the first time since his rookie year. After being a star in Toronto, San Antonio, Chicago and Sacramento, DeRozan signed with the Nuggets this summer in hopes of winning a title before retiring. “I still have a lot to give” he said. “I don’t want to shortchange or cheat the game. I think that means more to me than anything. Just to have that opportunity. (It) doesn’t make me feel like, ‘Oh, I can take a backseat, let me just see where it takes me.’ No, I still feel like I can go out there and contribute and still give so much to the game that I love.”
- After earning All-Star and All-NBA recognition for the first time last season, Jamal Murray talks to Vinny Benedetto of The Denver Gazette (subscription required) about wanting to achieve even more.
