When two titans clash, the mental stakes skyrocket. Having failed to make it through the playoffs in 2024, a year after they had won the NBA Finals, the Denver Nuggets are now looking to make things right in this postseason. Unfortunately, Nikola Jokic and co are now facing tough opposition from the Clippers. The same team that missed the playoffs’ second round in back‑to‑back years, and returned fire in Game 2. Kawhi Leonard and co have now proven their merit by evening the ongoing playoff series 1-1. While this is certainly cause for concern, David Adelman does not want that concern to take over his players’ minds.

In the aftermath of the LA Clippers’ 105-102 win against the Denver Nuggets, Adelman participated in a presser. A reporter asked the head coach about his thoughts on losing home-court advantage and leaving Denver with a 1-1 record. Adelman replied that he expected the series to continue like this, since the Nuggets and the Clippers are “both really good teams, you know”. Describing both games as a grind, the HC highlighted his belief that the Nuggets would have been ‘sulking’ about losing Game 1, just as his team now ‘sulks’ about letting Game 2 slip from them. Adelman wants his players to get back into the groove of things. After all, a 1-1 record makes things tougher, not impossible.

“We have to bring our focus, be connected, you know, take the day tomorrow to get mentally right, physically right, prepare, fly to LA, and get a win,” said the Nuggets head coach during the presser. Even as Adelman championed their mental health, front‑office tremors loomed.

Denver shook up its hierarchy in April, firing coach Michael Malone and GM Calvin Booth, yet Adelman claims the locker room has never been healthier In David Adelman’s own words, spoken 24 hours ahead of Game 1, “I think the locker room right now is in a really healthy place because of the guys in that locker room. When you go through a lot, sometimes, I think we all know this. In life, you go through complications; sometimes you come out the other side as a better person, and as a team, that can happen, too”.

Despite Adelman’s optimistic spin, Game 1’s bizarre Jokić–Van Gundy skirmish exposed fraying nerves.. The Serbian is known for grabbing the ball quickly to initiate fast inbounds, and he tried to do just that following a stoppage. Van Gundy, however, briefly held onto the ball and delayed the restart. The two ended up tussling for possession before officials intervened. Later, Nikola Jokic gave a reportedly angry warning to his teammates even after winning the game.

“If you’re not going to be engaged right now, I think you’re not supposed to play this sport.”

The exit of the head coach and the general manager might not be affecting the Denver Nuggets squad that much. However, the pressure to do well might be. The proof is visible.

Michael Porter Jr. apologized to the Nuggets squad amid Injury issues

Amongst the bad things that can happen to a team during the playoffs, poor performance and injuries top the list. To his credit, Michael Porter Jr. performed much better in Game 2 than in the previous matchup. He scored 15 points and 15 rebounds, to go with his 1 assist, in Game 1. Despite this, the player came under attack after the Nuggets got a rare miss from Kawhi Leonard, with 100 seconds left and the game tied at 100, and Porter Jr. collected the rebound. He threw the ball up in an attempt to pass it to Aaron Gordon, but ended up losing it. In an attempt to get the loose ball back, Porter dived and bashed his left shoulder. It was a mistake that contributed to the Nuggets’ loss, and the player knew it.

“I made a stupid play after I got the rebound. Tried to make up for it, and somebody landed on my shoulder”, said Porter Jr. after the game. Postgame examinations confirmed Porter Jr. suffered a left shoulder joint sprain. A relatively common basketball injury but one that raises red flags during a grueling playoff run, “I never felt anything like this in my shoulder. But it’s good, though. It’s just a joint sprain, so it’s nothing too serious. So hopefully I can do what I can to heal it up”.

This setback follows a career marked by three back surgeries in five years, adversity that shaped Porter Jr.’s mental toughness and earned him the Ringer’s praise as Denver’s “biggest X‑factor”. During the 2024–25 regular season, he averaged 18.2 points and 7.0 rebounds on 50.4% shooting, ranking him among the league’s top efficiency wings.

Michael Porter Jr. may just be saying this now, but nothing can be said for certain without an official update. With the Nuggets headed back to Los Angeles for Game 3, official medical updates are pending, but Porter Jr. faces a tight window to recover. His presence or absence will significantly shape Denver’s rotation, as Jokic, Murray, and David Adelman lean on his spacing and rebound prowess.