LAS VEGAS — The Nuggets lost to the Timberwolves on Saturday night in their second game of Summer League, falling to 0-2.
Denver’s next game 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 probably 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 2025 draft picks and only one 2024 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 few steps, but he ultimately passed out of the post-up, leading to a bad shot at the end of the 24-second clock.
Holmes went for eight points and six boards. Shannon led the Timberwolves with 24 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 few 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 15-man roster.
Christian Braun made an appearance at halftime, Peyton Watson was in attendance for the second straight game (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 recent free agent departee Nickeil Alexander-Walker (now an Atlanta Hawk) briefly showed 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).”
Denver’s smart 2-way retention
Spencer Jones has been a real bright spot for the Nuggets in the first weekend of Summer League. The only two-way player they’ve brought back from last season, he was aggressive off the bat on Saturday en route to 19 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 3-pointer with a hand in his face while scoring seven of Denver’s first nine points.