It has been somewhat of a slow fade this season for Nuggets rookie center Jusuf Nurkic, whose hot start has turned into struggles late in the season.
A severe ankle injury at the end of February, which cost him two weeks and eight games, played a role. Still, since averaging 9.4 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.6 blocks and 1.3 steals per game in February, Nurkic has seen his numbers sink.
As the Nuggets wind down the season, interim coach Melvin Hunt is hoping to get the 7-footer back on solid footing going into the offseason.
Nurkic averaged 6.3 points and 4.2 rebounds in March — although his field-goal percentage did improve nearly 10 percent over February. He entered Saturday’s game against the Clippers averaging just 4.0 points and 4.5 rebounds in the first couple of games in April.
“It’s the typical rookie process,” Hunt said. “We played Portland, and he was 5-for-5 from the field, did some pretty nice things and was very attentive to the game plan. I gave him specific instructions that I wanted to see carried out, and the young man went out there and did what he was supposed to do. He has to learn to do the things we’re asking, and then his creativity, we’re going to let that flourish.”
Footnotes. Darrell Arthur missed his seventh consecutive game because of a calf injury. … Danilo Gallinari (rest) was held out as well. He has been sitting out the second of back-to-back sets late this season. … Guard Ty Lawson played through a sore right forearm, which he injured during Friday night’s game at San Antonio.
