Nuggets fall to Timberwolves, Spencer Jones continues to impress: Summer League takeaways
LAS VEGAS The Nuggets lost to the Timberwolves on Saturday night in their second battle of Summer League falling to - Denver s next meeting is against Toronto on Tuesday at Cox Pavilion the secondary gymnasium where it has played both of its games so far Wolves a tougher test The Timberwolves are still a thorn in Denver s side even at Summer League But to be fair they presumably have one of the best rosters in Las Vegas this week complete with playoff-minted Terrence Shannon Jr and other second-year talents such as Rob Dillingham and Jaylen Clark That trio and rookie Joan Beringer presented a more athletic physical and intense test for a Nuggets squad with zero draft picks and only one pick a guy who missed last season with a torn Achilles tendon DaRon Holmes II still looks like he s moving awkwardly at times understandably He s not over-exerting himself yet from a physicality standpoint but when he picks his spots it s notable On one first-half possession he backed down Shannon and successfully moved him a meager policies but he ultimately passed out of the post-up leading to a bad shot at the end of the -second clock Holmes went for eight points and six boards Shannon led the Timberwolves with points capped off by a vicious poster on Tamar Bates Denver s sideline contingent Court-side seats were mostly vacant on Thursday when the Nuggets opened Summer League play against Milwaukee They had a scant more notable names in the house this time highlighted by guests of honor Cam Johnson and Tim Hardaway Jr two of the four newcomers to the -man roster Christian Braun made an appearance at halftime Peyton Watson was in attendance for the second straight championship after hanging with Julian Strawther at the first one and KSE vice chairman Josh Kroenke joined the front-office cavalry after he was absent on Thursday Unofficial co-general managers Ben Tenzer and Jon Wallace have been at both games along David Adelman and new assistant coach JJ Barea Adelman s newly hired top assistant Jared Dudley was also on the Nuggets celebrity row Saturday Anthony Edwards and Naz Reid sat on the baseline to take in the young Timberwolves and contemporary free agent departee Nickeil Alexander-Walker now an Atlanta Hawk briefly demonstrated up for a reunion with them When Edwards allowed a young boy in a Nuggets jersey to approach him for an autograph a fan in the bleachers disputed the superstar s willingness to fraternize with the enemy It s all good Edwards responded I be busting their butt Related Articles Nuggets DaRon Holmes II returns from torn Achilles at scene of the crime after resilient year This is Round Sure Kansas City s Tamar Bates signed -way contract with Nuggets That doesn t mean he s a Broncos fan Nuggets Journal With Jonas Valanciunas likely destined for Denver David Adelman envisions another point center Jamaree Bouyea spoils Nuggets Summer League opener with buzzer-beater -pointer NBA K launches Sept with Angel Reese and Carmelo Anthony featured on special editions Denver s smart -way retention Spencer Jones has been a real bright spot for the Nuggets in the first weekend of Summer League The only two-way participant they ve brought back from last season he was aggressive off the bat on Saturday en passage to efficient points six rebounds and two steals His wingspan is a solid defensive asset and he s capable of grabbing contested rebounds against bigger players He also splashed a corner -pointer with a hand in his face while scoring seven of Denver s first nine points
