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David Adelman Explains How to Balance His Stars' Minutes After Win Over Raptors
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- David Adelman Explains How to Balance His Stars' Minutes After Win Over Raptors
After an injury-riddled 2025-26 season that that saw the Denver Nuggets' starting five all miss time at different points throughout the season, head coach David Adelman is taking measures to limit the time his stars spend on their feet.
Obviously, starters are going to play the majority of the game in any circumstance, even when time management is concerned, but that doesn't mean that they have to be the only players on the floor carrying any kind of load. Now, the biggest question for Adelman to answer is how to manage his stars while still getting the most out of their talent.
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The Nuggets' 128-109 win over the Toronto Raptors was the best example so far of how Adelman has excelled in managing his players' minutes while still using them to the best of their abilities in service of a win.
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (32) after making a basket during the first half against the Toronto Raptors at Ball Arena. Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images
Managing Minutes
Star center Nikola Jokic still carried a heavy load for the Nuggets, playing 30 minutes and turning in a 32 points, 10 rebound and 11 assist triple-double, but the starters around him had comparatively lighter workloads.
Forward Aaron Gordon played just 25 minutes, scoring 17 points, while guard Jamal Murray 28 minutes and scored 14 points.
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) yells to the bench during the second half against the Toronto Raptors at Ball Arena. Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images
Both Murray and Gordon have been major factors in Denver's success this season, especially Gordon, who has been enjoying having health back on his side and been one of the most crucial players on the roster, but that doesn't mean he or Murray should be worked to the bone.
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That's why Adelman has been managing their minutes so carefully and to do that, he's been relying on the strength of his bench to help fill in when the stars are on the bench themselves. That methodology speaks to the strength of the Nuggets' bench this season compared to years past and it says a lot about the team-first mentality that the team has.
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (32) works in the post against Toronto Raptors forward RJ Barrett (9) during the first half at Ball Arena. Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images
Relying On the Team
"This is a team, and the team has to help each other out with the minutes," Adelman said (via Nuggets). "It's not just me just guessing if we can win a game Jamal plays 28 or 29 [minutes]. So, it came at the right time, Jamal has played a lot. Obviously, AG, we like to keep him at a threshold. I was proud of the energy in the second half."
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Having players like forward Bryce Hopkins, forward Trevon Brazile and forward Marvin Bagley, who all played the lion's share of the bench minutes against the Raptors, is a huge plus for Adelman that gives him the assurance to rest his stars when he feels like he needs it.
Denver Nuggets forward Trevon Brazile (7) walks off the floor during the first half against the Toronto Raptors at Ball Arena. Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images
Basketball, more than most sports, thrives on a "next man up" mentality and as talented as Denver's core may be, they still need to exemplify that mentality to be successful.
Avoiding the injury-filled woes of last season, which especially held Denver back in the playoffs, needs to be one of Adelman's top priorities and so long as he can keep expressing his faith in his bench to fill in for his stars, the Nuggets will right on track to avoid the perils of the past in service of future success.
