Since the start of the 2024 NBA Playoffs, Denver Nuggets guard Reggie Jackson has become a bit of an afterthought.
A 13-year veteran, Jackson is averaging just 10.4 minutes per game this postseason. Yet, he also just wasn’t particularly effective when he was on the floor. Against the Los Angeles Lakers, he averaged 3.2 points and 1.4 assists per game on a .381 true shooting percentage. Notably, Jackson sprained his ankle in Game 3. That said, in the first two games of their First Round series, he went just 1-9 from the field and 1-5 from 3.
Reggie Jackson Opens Up About Unexpected Nuggets Role
In the regular season, Jackson played an integral role for the Nuggets.
With star guard Jamal Murray constantly battling injuries, Jackson played all 82 games, starting in 23 of them. He averaged 10.2 points and 3.8 assists in 22.2 minutes per game, shooting a hair below 36 percent from 3. As a starter, he averaged 15.4 points and 5.3 assists per game, shooting 49.3 percent from the field and 44.3 percent from 3.
As they prepare for a matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Semifinals, Jackson was asked about his role during the season. The 34-year-old Colorado native made it clear that he never really foresaw himself playing heavy minutes with Denver.
He just stepped up while Murray was sidelined for 23 games.
“No, definitely not,” Jackson says of expecting a large in-season role.
Reggie Jackson today on if he was expecting to have as big of a role this season as he’s had: “No, definitely not. We’ve got one of the best point guards in the league. Unfortunately, it hasn’t been the healthiest season for him, so just happy to step up and do my part.” pic.twitter.com/guWvqzjotA
— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) May 3, 2024
“We’ve got one of the best point guards in the league,” he continues. “Unfortunately, it hasn’t been the healthiest season for him, so just happy to step up and do my part.”
The Nuggets May Need More Out of Him
In the series against the Timberwolves, the Nuggets may find that they need Jackson more than they did against the Lakers.
Boasting the No. 1 defense in the league during regular season, Minnesota’s physical defense will wear on Murray. Though two-time MVP Nikola Jokic has had three-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert’s number for a couple of years, the latter won’t be giving up many easy points. The height differential that Michael Porter Jr. often has on his jumpers will be negated in a matchup with 7-footer Karl-Anthony Towns. In short, Denver needs to have as many viable offensive options as possible.
During the regular season, Jackson was unable to get it going against the Timberwolves. In four games, he averaged 6.3 points per game on a .382 true shooting percentage. However, he found other ways to be impactful, dishing out 5.5 assists per game. A crafty ball-handler with great timing and vision, particularly in the pick-and-roll, Jackson can create plenty of easy points for his teammates with his playmaking.
