Denver

Nuggets

A highly-regarded recruit out of high school, the 6-foot-6 Hopkins played one season at Kentucky before transferring to Providence. After three seasons there, the second of which was interrupted by a torn ACL, he transferred to St. John’s for his final campaign. During his lone season in Queens, Hopkins showed that the knee wasn’t an issue, making 37 starts and averaging 13.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.9 three-pointers per game. And he shot the ball reasonably well, putting up percentages of 46.9 percent from the field, 36.3 percent from three and 71.3 percent from the foul line. Tim Hardaway Jr. is an unrestricted free agent this summer, and the Nuggets can use additional wing depth regardless of what happens with the veteran. Hopkins will need to rely on his improved defense early on, and he may benefit from playing off stars Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray.

After one season at Missouri, the 6-foot-10 Brazile spent the next four at Arkansas. He saved his best for last, averaging 13.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.6 blocks and 1.3 three-pointers in 31.5 minutes per game, all career-high numbers. Part of the Darius Acuff Jr.-led team that won the SEC tournament in March, Brazile shot 52.5 percent from the field, 34.1 percent from three and 71.7 percent from the foul line. The Nuggets need frontcourt depth, especially if the Aaron Gordon trade rumors lead to a move. Brazile’s athleticism and defensive ability will give him an opportunity to earn rotation minutes off the bench.

Despite being limited to 87 regular-season games over the last two seasons due to injuries. Gordon is a popular player heading into the offseason. According to Stein, the athletic forward is the veteran Nuggets player who has drawn the most trade interest from opposing teams. However, he also reported that if Denver were to make a move, they would prefer to find a trade partner for Christian Braun rather than for Gordon or Jamal Murray. Making a move would likely make it easier for the Nuggets to hold onto Peyton Watson, who will be a restricted free agent at the end of the month.

Murray struggled on Thursday on both ends of the floor. On offense, the length of Jaden McDaniels sure had an impact, as the veteran point guard had more missed shots than total points. He was also attacked as a one-on-one defender repeatedly down the stretch, ultimately allowing some key Minnesota baskets to close the game. While Murray had a tough time finding his rhythm throughout the series, he had a phenomenal regular season, averaging 25.4 points, 7.1 assists, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.3 three-pointers, which were all career bests. He turned in one of his better fantasy seasons and should be able to perform at a high level again next season.

Johnson rose to the occasion on Thursday, logging one of his best performances of the season. Despite the loss, he drained half of his 10 three-point attempts, nearly pulled down double-digit rebounds, and finished as one of Denver’s most reliable scoring options on the evening. Johnson came into the season with some expectations to serve as the missing piece for the Nuggets, who acquired him via trade during the offseason. His production fluctuated throughout the season, and he ultimately averaged just 12.2 points overall, his lowest since his sophomore season. A more effective season and better fantasy production should be expected in Year 2 with the Nuggets next season.

Jokić logged another impressive stat line in Thursday’s loss, impacting the game as a scorer, facilitator, and rebounder. He shot the ball efficiently overall despite not finding his touch from beyond the arc. Yet, his contributions weren’t enough to keep Denver from another early playoff exit. The Nuggets have not been back to the Western Conference Finals since their championship-winning 2021-22 season. Regardless of what roster construction occurs over the offseason, Jokić should be back and will have a chance to finish as one of the best fantasy players.

For the third time in this series, the Nuggets will be without their starting power forward. The versatile two-way forward has struggled with injuries throughout his 12th NBA season, and has played in only three of the five playoff games so far, averaging 11.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Without Gordon, Spencer Jones should fill in again as the fifth starter. Jones scored 20 points and made four three-pointers in Denver’s Game 5 victory.

Gordon did not play in Denver’s Game 5 victory on Monday, resulting in a move into the starting lineup for Spencer Jones. Shooting 4-of-5 from beyond the arc, Jones tallied 20 points, three steals and three blocked shots to help the Nuggets keep their season alive. He’ll get another start if Gordon remains out for another game.

Due to a strained right hamstring, Watson has not appeared in a game since April 1. That will remain the case for Game 6, resulting in more minutes for fellow reserves Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown.

Jones averaged just 5.5 points during the regular season and was yet to make his mark on these playoffs. In Games 3 and 4, he had six points in 53 minutes combined. With Aaron Gordon (calf) out for Game 5, Jones moved into the starting lineup and had 20 points in 37 minutes. Regardless of Gordon’s status, if Jones can somehow sustain this level of play, it would be a huge development for the Nuggets.