The Denver Nuggets are having themselves quite a season. With 21 wins against just 8 losses, they’re sitting comfortably in third place in the Western Conference, right in the thick of the playoff picture.
And with Nikola Jokic doing Nikola Jokic things-dominating in that uniquely effortless way-there’s been a celebratory buzz around the team. Nuggets fans have even dubbed the stretch "Jokmas," and honestly, it fits.
But as strong as Denver has looked, the road hasn’t been entirely smooth.
Their latest matchup against the Dallas Mavericks was a reminder of how quickly things can shift. In a game that went down to the wire, the Nuggets fell 131-130 in a heartbreaker.
But the final score wasn’t the only blow. Forward Cam Johnson went down hard with a right knee injury, and the immediate concern was obvious.
He had to exit the game after a tough landing, and the mood shifted from competitive to cautious.
The good news? According to reports, Johnson has been diagnosed with a bone bruise-no structural damage, no major ligament issues.
That’s about as fortunate as it gets when you’re talking about knee injuries in the NBA. Still, he’s expected to miss some time, and that’s not something Denver can just brush off.
Johnson’s been a steady contributor this season, averaging 11.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. He’s not the headline act, but he’s been a key part of the supporting cast-stretching the floor, defending multiple positions, and fitting seamlessly into the Nuggets’ system. Losing that kind of versatility, even temporarily, is a real challenge for a team trying to stay at the top of a loaded Western Conference.
And that’s not the only issue Denver’s dealing with right now.
Behind the scenes, there’s growing uncertainty around Peyton Watson’s future with the team. The Nuggets and Watson didn’t come to terms on a rookie-scale extension before the season started, and that decision is now looming large. Watson’s playing well in a contract year, and league insiders believe it’s becoming increasingly unlikely that Denver will be able to keep him once he hits restricted free agency next summer.
What complicates things further is the financial structure. Had the Nuggets extended Watson earlier, it would’ve triggered the same poison-pill provision that’s attached to Christian Braun’s deal-essentially a salary cap wrinkle that makes matching offers more complex. By not locking him up, Denver may have left the door open for another team to swoop in with an offer they can’t-or won’t-match.
So here’s where things stand: Denver’s winning, Jokic is playing at an MVP level (again), and the team looks like a legitimate contender. But they’re also navigating real challenges-injuries, contract negotiations, and roster depth-that could shape how far this group can go.
The Nuggets have built something special, no doubt. But in the NBA, staying on top is just as hard as getting there.