The Denver Nuggets have found themselves in the spotlight once again, this time not for their superstar Nikola Jokić, but for the exceptional performance of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (KCP) against the formidable Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks. In a stunning turnaround from their previous meeting, where the Knicks dominated the Nuggets with a crushing 38-point victory, this time it was Denver’s turn to shine as they secured a convincing 113-100 win, thanks in large part to KCP’s defensive prowess.
Coach Michael Malone, speaking in the post-game press conference, couldn’t contain his admiration for Caldwell-Pope’s remarkable display against Brunson, a player known for his explosive scoring ability. Malone expressed, “You don’t stop a guy like Jalen Brunson; I mean, he had two 40-point games on this road trip. But I thought he made him work for everything tonight… He goes out there and does his job every single night … and that’s why we call him first team, cus’ he’s a First Team NBA All-Defender in our eyes.” The respect and recognition for KCP’s defensive contributions were evident in Malone’s words, highlighting the impact Caldwell-Pope has on the team’s success.
“You don’t stop a guy like Jalen Brunson; I mean, he had two 40-point games on this road trip. But I thought he made him work for everything tonight…”
–– Nuggets coach Michael Malone on Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s defense on Jalen Brunson (26 points 11-23 FG) pic.twitter.com/r8p3WpbWNF
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) March 22, 2024
Caldwell-Pope’s defensive efforts were instrumental in limiting Brunson’s offensive output, holding him to 11-of-23 field goals, a testament to KCP’s defensive acumen. Despite Brunson’s impressive stat line of 26 points and nine assists, he acknowledged the challenge posed by Caldwell-Pope’s tenacious defense. The Knicks, despite their All-Star guard’s valiant effort, were unable to secure the win, concluding their West road trip with a 3-1 record.
Coach Malone also took the opportunity to commend Michael Porter Jr., whose stellar performance since the All-Star break has been nothing short of spectacular. Offering to foot the bill for Porter’s visit to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, Malone jokingly acknowledged the positive impact of Porter’s impromptu vacation on his performance. Porter has been on a scoring spree, averaging 21.1 points on impressive shooting percentages, showcasing his growth and potential as a key player for the Nuggets.
Porter’s performance against the Knicks further solidified his status as a rising star in the league, finishing with a game-high 31 points and eight rebounds. His record-breaking three-point shooting this season, surpassing Dale Ellis’ mark, underscores his importance to the team’s success. With veterans like Caldwell-Pope and emerging talents like Porter, the Nuggets have positioned themselves as formidable contenders as they set their sights on the ultimate prize: an NBA championship.
As the regular season progresses and the playoffs loom ahead, the Denver Nuggets find themselves in a prime position to make a deep postseason run. With the leadership of Coach Michael Malone and the stellar performances of players like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Michael Porter Jr., the Nuggets are poised to make a strong push for championship glory. Only time will tell if they can fulfill their aspirations and etch their names in NBA history.
