For all the credit Nuggets coach Michael Malone deserves for steering his team through an improbable rash of injuries this season, his biggest challenge may be yet to come.
The Nuggets are exceedingly deep. They essentially added a two-time all-star at the trade deadline in Isaiah Thomas, and he’s quickly proven there’s still mileage on his 30-year-old body. He has scored 24 points in 29 minutes over two games, including shooting 6-of-12 from the 3-point line. Despite missing 11 months after hip surgery, he’s still a quick-trigger shooter with little hesitation at hoisting.
“He’s confident,” Malone said after the Nuggets’ 114-104 win over Dallas to improve their record to 40-18.