Nuggets training camp: Nikola Jokic holds court with refs, David Adelman praises team’s physical state

SAN DIEGO — Nikola Jokic held court for at least 15 minutes.

A trio of NBA referees surrounded him as he pointed to various spots on the floor, as he ushered JT Orr to the free-throw line, as he mimed a euro step move without a basketball and absorbed the ref’s explanation of legal defensive position. A couple of Nuggets assistant coaches shook their heads laughing as they walked by the otherwise vacated practice court at UC San Diego.

With animated curiosity — and maybe some notes of defiance — Jokic took advantage of his opportunity to talk shop with league refs in a non-game environment. They were in the building to officiate the Nuggets’ (mostly) closed-door scrimmage Thursday, and Jokic’s competitive spirit was still high after practice, as if to mirror the intensity of the actual action.

“Kind of didn’t know what today would feel like because we really did push them the last two days,” coach David Adelman said. “But they kind of found an extra gear and made it what it’s supposed to be, which is basically a real NBA game going on for a couple quarters.”

Adelman’s prevailing takeaway after three days of training camp is the roster’s ahead-of-schedule physical state. That’s a notable juxtaposition from this time last year, when Michael Malone decried the team’s conditioning after a preseason game.

Aaron Gordon said that hot yoga has helped his body feel more prepared as he enters a season in which his primary individual goal is to stay on the court more. (He missed 31 games in 2024-25, mostly resulting from an on-and-off calf strain.) Jamal Murray reported for camp telling reporters that “I just feel a lot better than last summer” after having more time to recharge. Jokic, well, is still Jokic.

“They’re in shape,” Adelman said. “… I was hoping that they would come back ready to play. We put them in a tough situation. We kind of walked through some things then said, ‘Let’s play and just see where they’re at.’ And this is three days. … They’ve proved it.”

The scrimmage ended with a group anchored by Jonas Valanciunas and Jamal Murray defeating Jokic’s squad, 35-32. Jokic went to the foul line down by four with 2.5 seconds left and intentionally missed the second free throw, hoping for a tip-out and a 3-point opportunity for Cam Johnson or Julian Strawther. Instead, Valanciunas reeled in a defensive rebound to seal the win.

The backup center also converted a baby hook with a soft touch in one of the highlights of a brief period that was open to media. Adelman lauded the synergy between Valanciunas and Murray afterward, while Jokic was initiating his symposium with the refs.

The full range of topics covered during ultimately remained a mystery — Jokic didn’t speak to media — but the scene was indicative of the focus he brought to San Diego. “I think we have like 12, 13 really good players,” he said earlier this week in another starkly optimistic contrast from last year, when the superstar center consisted of equal parts sideline angst and unsparing soundbites.

The messaging about is more clear-eyed about what could be this time, from Jokic and from his teammates.

“It’s so early, but we know we have a great opportunity to do something special,” Gordon said, beaming after the scrimmage. “… The energy is everywhere. Through the coaching staff, through everybody’s willingness to learn, everybody’s willingness to communicate with each other and wanting to be around each other.”

Clippers don Nuggets-inspired training camp shirts

The Nuggets had a lasting impact on the Clippers, evidently.

Enough for assistant coach Jeff Van Gundy to design T-shirts alluding to the 2025 playoffs, at least.