Nuggets vs. Celtics: 3 takeaways from Denver's second straight loss to start preseason

The Nuggets are returning from Abu Dhabi without a win.

Here are three takeaways from Denver’s 130-104 loss to the Celtics on Sunday:

1. It wasn’t a perfect game from Jamal Murray, but it was a step in the right direction. After finishing the preseason opener with three points on four shots to go with two assists, two steals and a rebound, Murray got off to a hot start Sunday. He scored most of his 11 points in the opening minutes and added a rebound and a block. Turnovers have been a bit of an issue, as he has committed five with just a couple of assists in 34 minutes of preseason action, but the most important thing is that Murray appears to be healthy through a couple of preseason games. The Nuggets are being conservative with his minutes with a few weeks until the regular season starts, but the hot start was a positive sign after his injury history and Olympic performance raised questions over the offseason.

2. Denver’s depth was tested even more in the second meeting with mixed results. Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. got the day off, creating two open spots in the starting unit. Julian Strawther and Vlatko Cancar joined Murray, Nikola Jokic and Christian Braun in the starting lineup. Murray and Jokic did not play in the second half just like Friday’s preseason opener. Veteran reserves Russell Westbrook and DeAndre Jordan and third-year wing Peyton Watson also did not play, creating additional opportunities for younger players to play extended minutes. Second-year forward Hunter Tyson played a team-high 30 minutes off the bench, finishing with eight points and 10 rebounds. Strawther led the starters with 29 minutes and made 6 of 12 shots, including 2 of 5 from 3-point range, for 17 points. Strawther finished as Denver’s second leading scorer, as Jokic led the way with 20 points in 19 minutes.

Nuggets vs. Celtics: 3 takeaways from Denver's preseason opener in Abu Dhabi

3. With Westbrook in street clothes and Murray done for the day after halftime, the second half provided a prime opportunity for the Nuggets to get a longer look at their third point guard. Jalen Pickett is the only option who’s currently on a standard contract, but he went 1 for 8 from the field in his 17 minutes of play, adding three assists against one turnover. Two-way player Trey Alexander finished with 12 points, five assists and four rebounds in 20 minutes. Exhibit 10 player Jahmir Young made 4 of the 6 shots he attempted in 14 minutes, finishing with eight points. It’s expected Young and the other players who were on training-camp deals will soon be waived, allowing the Nuggets to sign more players to similar deals, maximizing the number of players whose G League rights they can acquire. Denver has limited options to address the issue, but it’s going to be an important role, especially on nights either Murray or Westbrook are unavailable.