Have the Nuggets Struck Gold Once More?
While the Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Lakers have been dazzling recently, the Denver Nuggets hold the longest current win streak in the association. With seven straight wins, including a monster performance against the Trail Blazers last night, the Nuggets certainly have their sights set on a second championship in the last three seasons. Although 28 games remain for the Nuggets this season, their recent streak has seen them surge to third in the Western Conference, trailing the Memphis Grizzlies by just one game for the second seed. Facing bottom feeders Portland and Charlotte in their next two matchups, the Nuggets’ streak will likely continue to extend beyond the all-star break.
As always, the Nuggets’ stellar performances have been led by the greatness of Nikola Jokić. In a 146-117 win last night, Jokić finished with 40 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds in just 31 minutes played. During this seven-game win streak, Jokić is averaging 30.7 points per game, 11.3 assists, and 10.3 rebounds per contest. Although Jokić’s play has been especially impressive, Denver’s success goes further than just him. The Nuggets have scored an average of 127.6 points in their last seven games, six more than their current season average, which is third in all of basketball at 121.3 points per game. While the addition of Russell Westbrook has been helpful, Christian Braun’s progression this season has been much more impressive. Playing 12.5 more minutes per game than last season, Braun has made the most of his opportunities, carving out a legitimate role in the starting lineup. With this opportunity, Braun has more than doubled his points per game average from seven last season to 14.7 this season.
Although the 43-9 Oklahoma City Thunder look quite scary, the Nuggets still have a serious chance to make it out of the Western Conference. With the Houston Rockets slipping, the Thunder, Grizzlies, and Lakers may be the only threats remaining. Compared to the youth of the one and two seeds, Oklahoma City and Memphis, the Nuggets have much more playoff experience having won a title in 2023. As far as the Lakers are concerned, their lack of a legitimate big man after the rescinded Mark Williams trade would make a matchup nightmare versus Nikola Jokić and Denver. While stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Ja Morant, Luka Dončić, and LeBron James may be tough to beat, over the past five seasons no one has been better than Nikola Jokić. Despite not having the greatest supporting cast in comparison, Jokić’s ability to play for the team and get the best out of all those around him will make the red-hot Nuggets tough to eliminate this postseason.
