Denver Nuggets head coach David Adelman addressed multiple roster and matchup topics during a practice media session on Wednesday ahead of Game 1 of the first-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Adelman provided an update on injured players Peyton Watson and Spencer Jones, noting limited participation in practice. “Peyton, Spence both practiced. I mean, not contact, but all non-contact stuff. Spence did more yesterday as far as his PD. He looked good. But neither guys cleared as of yet. So my hope is they’ll play in Game 1. If not, we’ll play the group that’s fully healthy.”
When asked about how the current matchup compares to previous postseason meetings, Adelman emphasized roster changes on both sides and rejected comparisons to past series. “This is a totally different series. Alexander-Walker’s not there. We don’t have Russ. There’s a lot of different people. Two years ago, there’s no KCP. We’re a different team over the course of all these years.”
He also stressed that the Timberwolves have evolved significantly. “I think their team has gotten better in certain ways over those years. Ant has gotten better and better. So it’s a totally different animal to me, and I’m sure they feel the same way.”
Adelman downplayed the historical framing of the matchup and compared it to other divisional meetings. “This individual series is this series against these teams. So you start thinking that way, I think you start getting into murky waters, man. We just need to go into game one and play well.”
On the schedule gap before the playoffs, Adelman acknowledged Nikola Jokic’s preference to stay active while also noting benefits of rest. “I get what he’s saying. When you’re in a great rhythm like he is, you’re on a 12-game winning streak, you just want to keep playing. But that’s not the way it is.”
He added, “It’s nice to have some days to get people right. Hopefully Spence and Peyton, it gives them a chance, a better chance to come back and play.”
On team confidence entering the postseason, Adelman said, “We’re really confident and I think everybody in the West should be. Anybody in the West can win this thing, man.”
He also highlighted floor spacing as a key factor in the offense. “Spacing. Bottom line. Much harder to bring a third defender to our two best players… Tim’s one of those guys. He makes the court feel enormous.”
Adelman discussed Minnesota’s bench production, specifically Naz Reid. “Naz kills everybody, man. I believe he won six man of the year. He’s one of the more unique bench players in our league.”
On Aaron Gordon’s versatility, he stated, “He can just morph into whatever is needed that night… The guy is just whatever he needs to be that night, he can do it.”
He also reacted to Jokic’s season production and outside narrative. “The first player to lead the league in rebounds and assists is absolutely insane and still go drop 30. That’s what surprises me.”
On playoff mentality, Adelman emphasized control and preparation over emotion. “Preparation wins over energy in my opinion. The energy is going to be there through the crowd.”
He added a caution on emotional swings during games. “I think it also leads to turnovers, stupidity, run out dunks to the other team.”
Adelman concluded by stressing that each season and series stands on its own. “Every year feels different to be honest. And I think you don’t really know much until you play game one… So we just have to go in there, hopefully learn from a win in game one.”
