OKLAHOMA CITY — Torrey Craig’s first meaningful NBA minutes were memorable, as the two-way player started at small forward against New Orleans on Friday and blocked Jrue Holiday in the closing seconds of regulation to force overtime in a 117-111 Denver victory.
Did that performance help Craig, who is under a two-way contract, earn a long-term stay with the Nuggets? That’s still up in the air, Malone said. But Craig started Monday’s contest at Oklahoma City, and his perimeter defense could prove valuable during Denver’s upcoming slate — Wednesday vs. Minnesota, Friday at Portland and Saturday at Golden State.
“I’d love for him to stay. I’m a fan of his,” Malone said. “Torrey Craig is a guy that you feel, ‘OK, at least he’ll go out there with the right mind-set and try to make guys’ lives really difficult.’ But that’s a decision that we’ll make with the front office, because I understand there is a 45-day window (for two-way players) and you kind of have to be smart about it moving forward.”
Craig, who previously spent three days with the Nuggets in late November, has dominated in the G League, averaging 25.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.1 steals and two blocks over 10 games. He said his biggest challenge at the NBA level has been picking up the Nuggets’ plays, but being immersed in on-court action has helped him learn quickly.
“For me, it’s better if I actually watch on the court or go through it myself,” Craig said. “Because on paper, it’s just like a bunch of lines going everywhere. I think that confuses me more.”
Alternate uniforms unveiled. Shortly after arriving in Oklahoma City Sunday night, the Nuggets officially released photos of their “City Edition” alternate uniforms.
The fourth — and final — Denver uniform designed by Nike is navy blue with gold trim and features the pickax logo on the jersey’s chest and the phrase “Mile High Basketball” embroidered on the bottom-left corner. The shorts also include the pickax logo, along with gold stripes on the legs to represent the Rocky Mountains and the number 5280 on the waistband to represent Denver’s elevation.
The details. pic.twitter.com/ahspWbItI6
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) December 18, 2017
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— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) December 18, 2017
Footnotes: Backup point guard Emmanuel Mudiay missed Monday’s game with a sprained ankle. Malone said he’s hopeful Mudiay can return for Wednesday’s home contest against Minnesota. … The Nuggets went with the same starting lineup as Friday’s win against the Pelicans (Jamal Murray, Gary Harris, Craig, Wilson Chandler and Mason Plumlee) and brought Jokic and Will Barton came off the bench.