MEMPHIS, Tenn. — As expected, Will Barton’s pregame routine was interrupted, or at least delayed.
The former University of Memphis star attracted a steady stream of local media before the start of Wednesday night’s game against the Grizzlies at FedExForum.
Barton, in the midst of his best NBA season, entered Wednesday averaging 15.5 points in his past six games and shooting 53.9 percent during the stretch.
“This is definitely the most freedom I’ve had since I’ve been in the pros,” said Barton, averaging nearly 15 points in his fourth NBA season. “I’m really appreciating it. I’m really enjoying it and trying to make the most of it.”
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Nuggets coach Michael Malone said Barton should be a candidate for not only the sixth man of the year but most improved player.
“What he has done this year, he has obliterated all of his previous career high and season highs and he has been a mainstay off the bench,” Malone said. “Overall, Will has had a tremendous year.”
Barton said Malone allows Barton “to push the ball (upcourt) and do my thing when I grab the rebound.”
Jokic “hitting wall.” Nuggets rookie center Nikola Jokic entered Wednesday’s game having gone 3-of-14 shooting in 45 minutes his past two games. He was 1-of-7 against Dallas in Monday’s loss.
“I think, to be very honest, he has hit his third rookie wall,” Malone said. “I look at our young guys, and I think our guys are fatigued. I look at Nikola and I can see it in his eyes. He looks like he’s been working out in the fields all day long.”
Malone said the Nuggets continue to feed Jokic in the post, “but he’s not finishing right now and he’s been turning the ball over uncharacteristically lately.”
Injury update. Nuggets center Jusuf Nurkic missed his second consecutive game with an illness. He scored a career-high 19 points in a 15-point loss to the Clippers on Sunday in Los Angeles.
