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Bryce Hopkins Reacts to Career Night in Nuggets’ Win vs. Raptors
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- Bryce Hopkins Reacts to Career Night in Nuggets’ Win vs. Raptors
The game of basketball is one that's founded on rotations and in a league as intense as the NBA, where injuries or fit issues can cause last minute changes, the most important trait for a young player making their way in the league to have is readiness.
Even for someone who's been riding the bench, that role can shift on a dime and they can suddenly be thrust into a far more important role, either as an elevated role player or even as a last minute starter.
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Answering the Call
That was something that rookie forward Bryce Hopkins found out rather quickly in the Denver Nuggets' 128-109 win over the Toronto Raptors. Hopkins, the Nuggets' 2026 second-round draft pick, had an up-and-down relationship with his playing time prior to the game against the Raptors, starting one while riding the bench in other games.
Denver Nuggets forward Bryce Hopkins (13) during the fourth quarter in a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena. Jon Endow-Imagn Images
But against Toronto, a last-minute revelation that Hopkins would be playing far more than usual, something he said he found out roughly 30 minutes before the game after forward DeMar DeRozan came to the conclusion that his back spasms would keep him out of the game, meant that Hopkins had to answer the call.
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Answer he did. Hopkins scored a career-high 18 points in 28 minutes on the floor while shooting 6-7 from the field , adding four rebounds, one assists and two steals to provide a huge lift for the team coming off the bench.
Denver Nuggets forward Bryce Hopkins (13) and Toronto Raptors guard Alijah Martin (55) dive for a loose ball during the second half at Ball Arena. Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images
Hopkins' Future In Denver
Head coach David Adelman praised Hopkins' work ethic and his character after the game, saying that the way that he prepares himself has instilled confidence in Adelman that Hopkins can be trusted with the rock in big ways when needed.
Hopkins himself understands the position he's in as a rookie who needs to work for playing time and he said after the game how staying prepared as a player in that position is the best thing that he can do.
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"it's what comes with being in my position right now... I just have to stay ready," Hopkins said (via Nuggets ). "I'm in the 'stay ready' group. I feel like the coaching staff does a great job with us keeping us prepared... Just being ready at all times is big."
Denver Nuggets forward Bryce Hopkins (13) after making a basket during the first half against the Toronto Raptors at Ball Arena. Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images
Having someone like Hopkins coming off the bench was already a huge boost for the Nuggets because of the defense and scoring potential that he brings, but the fact that he was so ready to rise to the occasion in a hectic situation instills an extra light of hope into the team for what he can become in the future.
Denver has wanted for another impactful young player for a long time and in the few games that Hopkins has already played, he's shown just capable he can be and how valuable he may be for the future outlook of Denver as a franchise.
