The Denver Nuggets managed to escape with a win over the Dallas Mavericks as Nikola Jokic managed to make a last-second shot. However, there's more to the team than Jokic as Jerami Grant also proved to be an important asset to the team. The forward had a solid game at the power forward position, and his contribution was key for the Nuggets' comeback. Denver head coach Michael Malone is delighted that Grant played like an absolute piece in place of injured big man Paul Millsap.
The Athletic's Nick Kosminder tweeted out what Malone thought of his performance that saw him notch 15 points, five rebounds, two assists, a steal, and three blocks. Malone sounded pretty happy.
“That’s the Jerami Grant we traded for. That’s the Jerami Grant that we were in Las Vegas and that trade happened, we were so excited.”
Grant is having a bit of a bad year after his career-high numbers in his final year in the Oklahoma City Thunder that led to the Nuggets trading for him. However, it seems like he's finally adjusting to life in the Nuggets and is slowly getting back to his 2018-19 numbers. He's averaging 9.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 0.9 assists on 46% shooting. Moreover, to be able to perform at that level against the Dallas Mavericks is a testament to his skill as a starter, and that thought excites Malone due to the absence of Paul Millsap.
Grant will likely continue fighting for a starting spot for the remainder of the season, and Millsap will be hard-pressed to play well if he keeps this level of production up.