Hunter Tyson has successfully applied one lesson learned.

The Nuggets’ rookie is hopeful there are many more.

“I’m just trying to get adjusted, trying to sponge up as much as I can from all these guys,” Tyson said at Sunday’s practice after his first training camp.

“I’m just trying to take as much as I can, learn as much as I can and just try to apply it every day.”

Last week, that meant throwing lobs to DeAndre Jordan when he’s around the rim. Earlier in the week, Tyson said he threw a bounce pass into the big man. Tyson wasn’t sure what happened next, maybe a foul, but it didn’t end up with a bucket. Jordan then told the rookie to lob a pass to the rim, so Jordan could elevate for an easy finish.

“I was like ‘You are DeAndre Jordan. I probably should throw you the lob,’” Tyson recalled. “This time, I saw the opportunity, so I was like, I’m going to at least try it.”

During Friday’s practice, Tyson got the opportunity. The rookie came off a screen, caught the ball in the middle of the court and dribbled down the right side of the lane. Jordan rolled to the rim where Tyson had tossed an alley-oop pass. Jordan flushed it with a one-handed dunk.

A few more lessons learned and applied could have Tyson in line for playing time as the team’s back-up power forward. He’s not spending too much time worrying about that possibility.

“I’m not really thinking about it too much,” Tyson said. “Just trying to get better every day. Learn as much as I can, and I think the rest will take care of itself.”

Tyson is part of a three-man rookie class that’s impressed early in the preseason. Aaron Gordon said it’s evident all three of the Nuggets’ draft picks spent at least three seasons in college. Tyson spent five years at Clemson, finishing his collegiate career with a 40.5 3-point percentage on six attempts per game as a senior.

“He shoots the cover off the ball,” Gordon said. “Boy’s got a flamethrower.”

That’s something Tyson showed at Summer League. He averaged 20.8 points in five exhibitions after being drafted and shot 50% from the NBA 3-point line. There’s still a lot to learn, but he appears to be off to a good start.

“The NBA game is so much different than college, and then the Nuggets are so much different than everybody else,” Tyson said. “Just trying to learn what our identity is and learn how to best fit into this team.”

Malone has plan for preseason opener

Michael Porter Jr. didn’t practice Sunday after spraining an ankle during training camp, which might throw off Michael Malone’s plan for Tuesday’s preseason opener in Phoenix.

“I’m going to try to get our starters out there, probably play (them) just in the first half and try to get everybody else a chance to play as well,” Malone said.

The plan is to be patient with Porter, who is progressing in his recovery, Malone said.

“He was getting treatment all day yesterday,” Malone said. “He’s definitely moving in the right direction. We’ll be smart with that moving forward.”