Denver, CO

Three Thoughts from the Brooklyn Nets’ Loss to the Denver Nuggets

Published

1 year ago

October 30, 2024

Three Thoughts from the Brooklyn Nets’ Loss to the Denver Nuggets

Brooklyn Nets head coach Jordi Fernández’s first game against one of his former teams, the Denver Nuggets, ended in an overtime loss which showed the ups and downs a rebuild entails.

“The fact that we fought against a team like this, to me, it means a lot to our group … So proud of our guys,” Fernández said. The first-year head coach was an assistant under Mike Malone with the Nuggets for six seasons from 2016-2022.

Brooklyn is now 1-3 for the season. Dennis Schröder led the team in scoring and assists with 28 and 14, respectively. Cam Thomas added 26 points. Four Nuggets players scored more than 20 points: Nikola Jokić, Aaron Gordon, Jamal Murray and Russell Westbrook.

In terms of injuries, Trendon Watford and Day’Ron Sharpe (left hamstrings) remained out for the Nets. Cui Yongxi was on assignment with Long Island in the G League, having been listed on their training camp roster. Ben Simmons is not playing back-to-backs for now, per Fernández, so he will be available Wednesday night against the Memphis Grizzlies since he did not play versus Denver in the front end of this two-night series.

Noah Clowney received his first start of the season — and the fifth of his NBA career — as the main in the middle alongside Dennis Schröder, Cam Thomas, Cam Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith. Nic Claxton continued to come off the bench.

Here are three takeaways from the Nets’ fourth game of the regular season:

Ziaire Williams finished with 18 points on 7-for-8 shooting, while also pitching in four assists, three rebounds and one block.

Williams “has things that you can’t teach,” per Nets general manager Sean Marks, but his shooting might actually say the opposite of that. After scoring four of his five attempted three-pointers versus Denver, the Brooklyn wing is 8-of-12 from deep to start the season. He wasn’t just taking easy spot-up looks either, as he was moving and relocating into threes.

Williams explained that his shooting improvement started taking shape last year: “[Assistant coach] Anthony Carter from Memphis was the first person who taught me how to hop into a shot instead of one-two. That’s allowed me to get a lot more momentum and flow.”

But Ziaire wasn’t just shooting threes. He was also cutting and catching a lob, running out in transition and crashing the boards. All of Williams’ shots came from three, curiously on the right side of the floor, or at the rim.

The former tenth overall pick seems aware that this opportunity with the Nets is a do-over of sorts in the NBA. In Memphis, Williams was ultimately usurped in the pecking order by newer, healthier and, at times, more productive wings. So far this season with the Nets, he’s been solid if unspectacular.

Williams is in the final year of his contract ($6.1 million this season) and will be a restricted free agent next summer, not having come to terms with Brooklyn prior to the extension deadline. More games like this will help the Nets prioritize him or, alternatively, other teams covet him.

The Nets are being careful with Nic Claxton, continuing to bring him off the bench as he works his way back from missing all of preseason with hamstring soreness. But he is evidently the team’s best center and, potentially, their best player.

In 26 minutes, Claxton accrued his second double-double of the season, finishing with 16 points and 12 rebounds. His three blocks also reflect his two-way impact, and his two assists display the more expansive touches Jordi Fernández is giving the Brooklyn big.

On a night when Noah Clowney got his first start, the contrast between the second-year forward and the experienced Claxton was noticeable. Clowney continues to flash promise, but he needs to close out possessions better. In 15 minutes, he missed both of his attempted shots and only secured three rebounds. Claxton, on the other hand, is much more of an event creator and play-finisher near the basket.

That said, the Georgia product couldn’t do anything — and neither could any other Net — against Jokic, who finished with an absurd triple-double: 29 points, 18 rebounds and 16 assists. Posting up the three-time and reigning MVP was effectively a cheat code for the Nuggets, particularly down the stretch of the second half.

“What they do is put the ball in Nikola’s hands and he controls the game,” Fernández said. He called Jokic “an unbelievable player that put up an unbelievable performance.”

Claxton will not play on the second night of the Nets’ back-to-back against Memphis so that the team can manage his hamstring. It will be interesting to see whether Fernández tweaks his front court rotation or if he largely alternates between Clowney and Ben Simmons, who will be available, as was the case in preseason.

Jordi Fernández breaks down the overtime loss to the Nuggets at home.#NETSonYES pic.twitter.com/PEF38CJx7B
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) October 30, 2024
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The Brooklyn Nets are already one of the youngest teams in the NBA, but it seems like the buzz for any player who’s over 25 years old leans towards being traded elsewhere. GM Sean Marks and the organization is seemingly keeping their veterans updated on any talks that might happen but, for now, Brooklyn does not appear in a rush to move its more established players.

Against Denver, it was those players — Dennis Schröder, Cam Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith — who propelled a lot of the Nets’ performance. The three vets combined for 65 points, with Schröder in particular having a great game. By half-time, the German point guard had the most points and assists he’d ever racked up over two NBA quarters.

Cam Johnson was typically hot from three, making six of his ten attempted shots from downtown. The 28-year-old also continues to put the ball on the floor and make smart decisions. Finney-Smith was active on both ends, although he was cold from deep (7-of-27 in the season’s first four games) and missed a wide-open corner three that would’ve won the game for Brooklyn. Fans rooting for the Nets’ draft lottery odds to improve won’t hold that against him, though.

Want to join the discussion? Like Nets on SI on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest Nets news. You can also meet the team behind the coverage.

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Denver, CO

Purple Row After Dark: Is Denver the best sports town in the US?

Published

10 hours ago

March 29, 2026

Press Room

Purple Row After Dark: Is Denver the best sports town in the US?

In case you missed it, the Denver Summit — the Mile High City’s new NWSL team — made quite a debut today:

The game ended on a 0-0 draw, but what a great day for Denver sports.

And that raises an interesting question: Is Denver the best sports town in the United States?

The sooner the Mile High City gets a WNBA team, the better.

Me, I think you can’t beat Denver for sports. But I’m willing to entertain other perspectives. Let us know in the comments!

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Denver, CO

Every Opening and Closing This Week: Six Spots Debuted

Published

22 hours ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

Every Opening and Closing This Week: Six Spots Debuted

Paperboy has opened its first location outside of Texas.

Paperboy

Denver is a city that loves to brunch and now, one of Austin’s top daytime spots has opened a location in the West Highland neighborhood. Paperboy’s third outpost is its first outside of its home state of Texas. The concept, which founder Rynan Harms started in a food trailer, has taken over the former home of Rooted Craft American Kitchen (and FNG before that).

“We love this neighborhood because it’s still close to downtown but has its own unique and relaxed vibe,” says Robert Brown, Harms’ longtime business partner, who has lived in Denver for nearly a decade. “People know their neighbors, they show up to community events, they’re invested in this place in a way that feels increasingly rare. That sense of connection is something Paperboy has always tried to foster, and we’re honored to be a part of it here in Denver.”

The menu includes staples such as the chicken and biscuit drizzled with spicy honey; Texas Hash with roasted pork, sweet potato, onion, kale, poached egg and pecan mole; and the Paperboy Pancake, described as “a cake-forward cornmeal pancake that still manages to be impossibly fluffy.”

martini on a table in front of a bar — FiNO’s martini is made with pickled tomato water.

Also now open is FiNO, the restaurant inside the revamped All Inn Hotel on East Colfax. We enjoyed our first meal there; if you’re planning to visit, don’t miss the signature martini, the Medi Nachos and the caper-studded charred cabbage.

On East Sixth Avenue, the powerhouse duo behind the city’s best new barbecue restaurant, Riot BBQ, has debuted Chicken Riot in the former Truffle Cheese Shop space. Meanwhile, the former Whiskey Biscuit in Englewood is now the Barn, a neighborhood eatery from a pair of longtime hospitality pros, including former Brider chef Chase Devitt.

Taqueria Los Gallitos has expanded once again, adding an eighth location in the former Taco John’s near the shuttered Denver Merchandise Mart.

And just in time for the Rockies home opener on Friday, April 3, McGregor Square has opened its revamped food hall. The former Milepost Zero moniker is out. Now, the space is dubbed McGregor Square Food & Drink and includes six food stalls from local eateries: Anthony’s Pizza & Pasta, C Burger, G-Que BBQ, High Point Creamery, TaCo! and Tora Ramen.

There’s just one closure to report this week: Ballyhoo Table & Stage, which actually shuttered last month after an eviction notice was posted.

In other openings and closings news:

chicken club sandwich — A chicken club is one of the sandwiches on off at the Barn.

Here’s the complete list of restaurants and bars that opened and closed this week*:

Openings

The Barn South Broadway, 3299 South Broadway, Englewood
Chicken Riot, 2906 East Sixth Avenue
FiNO, 3015 East Colfax Avenue
McGregor Square Food & Drink, 1601 19th Street
Paperboy, 3940 West 32nd Avenue
Taqueria Los Gallitos, 5810 Logan Street

Closures

Ballyhoo Table & Stage, 3300 Tejon Street

*Or earlier and not previously reported.

Know of something we missed? Email cafe@westword.com.

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Denver, CO

Preview: Spirit Prepares for First Match Against Denver Summit FC, Another Record Crowd

Published

1 day ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

Preview: Spirit Prepares for First Match Against Denver Summit FC, Another Record Crowd

Denver, Colo. (03/27/2026) – In front of another expected record-breaking crowd, the Washington Spirit is set to take on Denver Summit FC in the side’s inaugural home match at Empower Field at Mile High. With over 60,000 tickets already distributed, the match is poised to break the NWSL attendance record of 40,091 set last summer when the Spirit visited Bay FC at San Francisco’s Oracle Park. Kicking off at 2 p.m. EDT, the match will broadcast nationally on CBS.

The Spirit

Washington comes into this weekend’s fixture off a difficult 1-1 home draw with Utah Royals FC earlier this week. After scoring in the 18th minute, the Spirit nearly earned its first victory of 2026 but conceded an equalizer late and had to settle for a single point on the table. Washington’s goal was scored by midfielder Rebeca Bernal, the Mexican star’s first since transferring to the NWSL last year.

Saturday afternoon’s match will mark the first-ever meeting between the Spirit, one of the NWSL’s original clubs, and 2026 expansion side Denver Summit FC. Denver will be the 17th different opponent for Washington across its regular season history: the Spirit has played against 13 active clubs (all except expansion sides Denver and Boston) as well as defunct clubs the Boston Breakers, FC Kansas City and the Western New York Flash.

The Spirit has had success against expansion sides as of late, tallying 11 wins in 15 matches against NWSL clubs in their first season of competition since the start of the 2021 campaign. In 2024, the Spirit went a perfect 5-0-0 against Bay FC and Utah Royals FC, outscoring the teams 10-3 with a playoff win to boot. In 2022, Washington earned a 1-3-0 record against Angel City FC and San Diego Wave FC and, in 2021, the eventual NWSL champions went an impressive 5-1-0 against Kansas City and Racing Louisville FC.

This weekend’s matchup at Empower Field at Mile High, home of the NFL’s Denver Broncos, is set to shatter the NWSL’s single match attendance record with over 60,000 tickets already distributed. The Spirit has also been the visiting team for two of the league’s previous three record-setting attendances: 34,130 fans at Seattle’s Lumen Field when the Spirit took on the Reign and 40,091 in the stands at San Francisco’s historic Oracle Park to watch Washington play Bay FC.

Washington is in good standing in several attacking categories through three matches despite two draws and a loss. The Spirit remains first in the league in rate of possession at nearly 62% and top three in both shots and shots on target with 49 and 17, respectively. With just three goals through three matches, look for the Spirit attack to continue getting attempts on frame this weekend.

Following Saturday’s match, the Spirit will hit the road again next weekend for an away match against Bay FC in San Jose on Sunday, April 5. Washington’s next home match will be on Friday, April 24 at 8 p.m. EDT when the side hosts the defending Shield winner Kansas City Current at Audi Field. Information on tickets can be found HERE.

The Opponent

Denver Summit FC opened its inaugural season with three straight away matches, collecting a win, a loss and a draw to carry four points into its home opener this weekend. Summit FC dropped its first match to Bay FC 1-2 before drawing Orlando 1-1 and beating Gotham 2-0.

Summit FC is led in scoring by star German forward Melissa Kössler who has three goals in three matches, scoring once in each contest. With a goal tomorrow, the forward would join Alex Morgan as just the second player in league history to score in each of her first four matches with a club. Look for the Spirit defending third to place an emphasis on limiting chances to Kössler on Saturday afternoon.

Denver has only allowed one goal across its last 240 minutes of action after giving up two in the first 30 minutes of the side’s opener. The strong recent form of Summit FC’s defending third against the Spirit attacking third’s ability to generate chance after chance will be a point to watch this weekend.

Three former Spirit players are currently on the Summit FC roster as midfielders Meg Boade and Jordan Baggett and defender Camryn Biegalski signed with the side ahead of this season. Baggett spent four years with the Spirit after being drafted by the side in 2019 while Biegalski signed with Washington in 2021 and played three seasons, both winning the 2021 NWSL Championship with the team. Boade spent the first half of the 2025 season in DC as a short-term injury replacement, even scoring a goal for the Spirit.

Following tomorrow’s match, Denver will travel to Seattle to face Reign FC on Saturday, April 4.

All-Time Series History

This weekend’s match will be the first-ever meeting between the Spirit and Denver Summit FC.

About The Washington Spirit

The Washington Spirit is the premier professional women’s soccer team based in Washington, D.C. and plays at Audi Field in Buzzard Point. The Spirit was founded on November 21, 2012 and is an inaugural member of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) the fastest growing sports league in the US. The club is home to some of the best players in the world who have won championships for both club and country. For more information about the Spirit, visit WashingtonSpirit.com and follow the club on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

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