With a wry smile and a knowing shimmy, Nuggets guard Will Barton announced he was back.

The Nuggets ended practice Sunday afternoon with their typical 3-point shooting contest, and Barton, only feet in front of reporters, couldn't help himself. Barton glanced toward the baseline and then stepped confidently into a smooth corner 3.

Having missed most of training camp, including all three preseason games after rolling his ankle, Barton was back on Sunday running with the starters. The Nuggets (0-3) close their preseason schedule with back-to-back games on Wednesday and Thursday against Oklahoma City, and Nuggets coach Michael Malone said he expects Barton to be available.

It'll be a departure from Denver's first three preseason games where training camp standout P.J. Dozier had been the starting shooting guard.

On Sunday, Barton ran alongside Monte Morris, Aaron Gordon, Michael Porter Jr. and Nikola Jokic, assuming his spot in the starting lineup.

"We ran today, we dominated, we won the scrimmages," said Morris of the group's chemistry.

Despite Barton's return, Morris said there was no learning curve with the first team.

Added Malone: "(Will) looked really good. Running the floor, attacking the basket, making explosive plays."

After closing the first three preseason games with reserves – and flubbing several finishes – Malone said Wednesday's game against the Thunder would represent the first time his starters would be able to play together this preseason.

"I got a text message from my father after one of the games, he said, 'Chill out, man,'" Malone said. "He goes, 'It's preseason, you're going crazy,' and he's right."

One of his assistant coaches reminded him not to let Denver's recent late-game meltdowns overshadow the progress of the Nuggets' starters. Malone said he'll plan to extend his starters well into the second half on Wednesday while likely resting his core players for Thursday's back-to-back.

Essentially, it'll be Denver's final tune-up before opening the season at Phoenix on Oct. 20.