Why the Nuggets spent a weekend stranded in Memphis: ‘A guys gathering for the weekend’

January 31, 2026 - 13:11

An unexpected winter storm that blanketed Memphis in snow this weekend transformed from a travel headache into an impromptu team retreat for the Denver Nuggets. Stranded after their Friday night victory over the Grizzlies, the team spent an extra two nights together in their hotel, turning a logistical setback into a valuable chance for connection.

"We know Memphis well now," assistant coach David Adelman said in his signature dry tone. "We know it in the snow. We know it in the heat. We know the hotel well."

Players described the extended stay as a positive, informal gathering. With practices canceled and flights grounded, the time was filled with card games, shared meals, and relaxed conversation away from the usual pressures of the schedule. The consensus was that the unexpected downtime served as a beneficial bonding period in the middle of a long season.

The focus was on making the best of a situation beyond their control, strengthening camaraderie off the court. The team finally departed Memphis on Sunday, having turned a weather delay into what several players simply called a good, old-fashioned "guys gathering for the weekend."