Turnovers eventually caught up with the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday as they blew a halftime lead to the more NBA-experienced Toronto Raptors, losing 101-97 in their third Summer League game and remaining winless.

While the 24 turnovers were an in-game lowlight for the Nuggets, it was another T that was missing, which was more notable to the future of the club. After two rough outings in the first few summer games, Hunter Tyson was benched. He had shot just nine for 28 from the field in his two games. Tyson, a second-round pick in 2023 out of Clemson, is on the final year of his rookie contract with a club option for the 2026-27 season.

Tyson was on the Summer League First Team in 2023, but that has been the highlight of his time in Denver thus far. Tyson has played just under 450 minutes for the Nuggets, mostly last year. He’s gotten two starts, but he hasn’t really been impactful aside from some hustle rebounding.

A poor Summer League showing isn’t necessarily a death sentence to Tyson’s NBA career, even if it’s a bad sign. Jalen Pickett put out a brutal performance at Summer League last year, and he still found a way to get stronger. Toward the end of last year, Pickett was even getting backup minutes over Russell Westbrook. Pickett is the only true backup point guard on the roster behind Jamal Murray. Pickett, also a second-round pick the same year as Tyson, is signed to a similar contract.

Tyson is one of the two (DaRon Holmes II) Nuggets players signed to an NBA contract, taking part in the event in Las Vegas. There are also two two-way players (Spencer Jones and Tamar Bates) performing. The rest of the players representing the Nuggets have a ton of motivation with the team boasting both an open roster spot and an open two-way slot. Denver is likely to use that open roster spot on a veteran free agent, but there’s still that two-way slot that could have a big impact on the main group if utilized correctly.

Since the Nuggets now have an open roster spot, they’re not as hamstrung in keeping Tyson. But if they fill out with a 15th man — Tyson could be cut, especially since the man who drafted him, Calvin Booth, is no longer in Denver. Last year, many wanted both Tyson and Pickett released to open up roster spots for veterans. Again, the Nuggets offseason overhaul this summer makes that a lot less pressing, but it’s worth a watch as Tyson’s stock has fallen.

The other Nuggets player who participated in Tuesday’s game was Holmes; he was again solid. The 2024 first-round pick had a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds, adding two steals while nailing two triples. He keeps showing a good touch with his shot.

WE GOT A DARON SLAM 🚀 pic.twitter.com/F19YW2QEP1

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) July 16, 2025

Ohio State’s EJ Liddell had another loud game. He was strong in the Nuggets’ first Summer League game and had some big moments, especially in the first half, against the Raptors. He swatted four shots before halftime and added eight points. But it was the second half that will leave a taste with some as he got ejected. Already talking quite a bit, Liddell picked up a technical while standing up for injured teammate Boo Buie. A few moments later, he was called for a hard foul and was given the axe.

The ejection sparked the Nuggets a bit, who rallied back to make it a one-point game in the final seconds. Iowa State’s Curtis Jones poured in a team-high 20, while both two-way players added some late shot-making to tally double digits. But it was the earlier turnovers and a 19-0 Raptors run in the third quarter that pushed them to a win.

Denver’s brass was again courtside for the game, with ownership there as well.

The Nuggets play their last two Summer League games on Thursday and Friday.