Denver Nuggets: 5 takeaways from 2017-18 NBA season

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 11: Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) walks off the court after the overtime loss of their winner-take-all regular-season finale vs the Minnesota Timberwolves 112 -106 at the Target Center in downtown Minneapolis. April 11, 2018 Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Joe Amon/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /

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Photo by Joe Amon/The Denver Post via Getty Images /

The Denver Nuggets saw their playoff dreams crushed in the final game of the regular season, but there’s much optimism to go around in the organization.

The Denver Nuggets sealed their fate with an overtime loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night, 112-106. The Nuggets will miss the postseason for the fifth straight season, but it was arguably head coach Michael Malone’s best year.

In his fifth season, Malone led Denver to a 46-36 record, finishing above .500 for the first time in his tenure as head coach. Despite missing the playoffs, it was still impressive what the Nuggets were able to accomplish.

They were without their big free agent signing Paul Millsap for 44 games due to injury. Nikola Jokic was still able to lead the charge on both ends, though, with some assistance from backcourt mates Gary Harris and Jamal Murray.

Harris had a breakout season, finishing second in scoring (17.6 points per game) after signing a lengthy extension prior to the year. Murray’s transition to the point guard position had its growing pains in 2017-18, but he still made the most of things.

The Denver Nuggets definitely have something brewing out West, that’s for sure. Off the bench, Will Barton proved to be a solid weapon throughout the season as well. They’re a few pieces away from the postseason, but they’re right on track. Here are five takeaways from the 2017-18 season for the Denver Nuggets.

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