AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostJuan Hernangomez (41) of the Denver Nuggets Dents against the Brooklyn Nets Throughout the third quarter on Thursday.
Juancho Hernangomez had been sitting on the bench, smoldering, waiting to igniteout, burst and make something happen.
The Nuggets’ forward got his opportunity Thursday night in a comeback triumph over the Brooklyn Nets in the Pepsi Center. Hernangomez hopes his effort could garner him more quality minutes going forward.
“I expect so, but each game is different,” he said. “It’s hard when they neglect ’t call your name, but remain focused and you have to keep ready. I have worked hard. Coach knows I will be ready when they call my name. ”
Hernangomez had played in only three of Denver’s 10 matches, but coach Mike Malone, trying to shake things up after an awful 125-121 home loss to Atlanta on Tuesday, inserted Hernangomez to the match in the first quarter — a rare occurrence indeed.
Hernangomez’s line barely moved the needle: Two things, with two assists in 19 minutes and eight rebounds, on shooting. But don’t even allow you are fooled by the boxscore. Hernangomez, viewing important and meaningful action for one of the very few times this year, helped jumpstart the slow Nuggets, who conquered a 61-49 halftime deficit.
It had been in the third quarter, in which Denver outscored the Nets 30-18, which Hernangomez turned into a spinning dervish — tipping ballson defense along with messing with the Nets’ offensive flow.
“I believed Juancho was the difference-maker tonight,” Malone stated. “I provide Juancho much charge. He had not played (much) from the first ten games. I wanted to throw him out there knowing he’d give a spark and energy. ”
Malone, in fact, was excited to expound on what Hernangomez provides the Nuggets as a role player.
“I adore Juancho,” Malone stated. “Here’s a guy who has helped us win matches. He was a rookie last year. He had an incredible summer; wins a gold trophy but is not in our rotation. However, what I love about Juancho is that, not once, even though it s killing him did he ever feel sorry for himself. He never stopped working. It’s in his nature. ”
Hernangomez’s hung gold round his neck after leading Spain to the championship in the 2019 FIBA World Cup. It was a summer to place some luster back . Over the last 3 decades, he’s endured a bout of mononucleosis that amuses his season and endured a injury that scuttled rsquo & a year ago; s promising start.
What he’so endured, and also the way he’s driven forward has made him extremely popular one of his Nuggets teammates.
“He’therefore the hardest and best worker said star center Nikola Jokic. “He’s in the gym all of the time. He didn’t create a lot of shots tonight, but he proved to be huge. He (got) a lot of offensive rebounds along with his effort was there. He only waited for his opportunity and he got his opportunity tonight. ”
Beloved forward Paul Millsap, who’s own energy stored the Nuggets within striking distance vs. the Nets, was delighted to see Hernangomez get some meaningful minutes.
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“Absolutely,” he said. “You root for men like this. He s a great teammate. Guys ’ s always encouraging, so it’s good to see him get out there and do this. ”
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