Nikola Jokić is doing Nikola Jokić things again-only this time, he’s carrying more than his usual load. With key Nuggets sidelined, the reigning MVP has elevated his game to superhero levels, keeping Denver afloat with his signature blend of scoring, playmaking, and sheer basketball IQ. But as brilliant as Jokić has been, his performance is also shining a spotlight on a growing issue: the Nuggets’ offense is becoming far too dependent on him and Jamal Murray.
Let’s be clear-Jokić isn’t just putting up numbers; he’s dragging the Nuggets through stretches where the offense looks completely out of sync without him. Murray’s been excellent as well, averaging 25.4 points per game, but beyond those two, the scoring options are looking thinner by the day.
Take Peyton Watson, for example. He started the season with some real promise, showing flashes of offensive confidence.
But as his minutes have shifted more toward lineups with Jokić and Murray, his role has shrunk-and so has his impact. Less time on the ball has left him looking tentative, unsure of when to assert himself offensively.
That’s not uncommon for young players adjusting to a more complementary role, but it’s a concern for a team that needs more scoring options, not fewer.
Then there’s Tim Hardaway Jr., who’s suddenly become a critical part of the offense. That’s a risky spot to be in considering his track record as a streaky shooter.
He’s capable of going off for 20-plus on any given night-but just as capable of going ice-cold at the worst time. We saw that happen last season in Detroit, and it’s a gamble Denver can’t afford to rely on down the stretch.
The bench has certainly improved from last year, but it’s not exactly built to light up the scoreboard. Bruce Brown and Jonas Valančiūnas bring toughness, experience, and versatility, but neither is known for creating offense. They’re glue guys, not volume scorers, and expecting them to fill that void would be asking them to play out of character.
Julian Strawther is working his way back into the lineup and, in theory, could offer some scoring punch. But consistency has been an issue.
He hasn’t locked down a regular rotation spot yet, and until he does, it’s hard to count on him for meaningful offensive contributions. Meanwhile, Spencer Jones has been a pleasant surprise.
He’s played with confidence and energy, but he’s still on a two-way contract and nearing the limit of his NBA eligibility. If the Nuggets need him in a playoff setting, he could be a wild card-but that’s a big “if.”
The silver lining? Help is on the way.
Aaron Gordon was off to a strong start this season, averaging nearly 19 points per game before going down. His return-expected in the coming weeks-would be a massive boost, both in terms of scoring and physicality.
Christian Braun is also on the mend. He had a slower start, but he’s shown he can contribute more than just hustle plays when given the opportunity.
Unfortunately, just as things seemed to be trending in the right direction, Cam Johnson is now expected to miss significant time-possibly a month or two. That’s a tough break, especially since he was just starting to find his rhythm and carve out a meaningful role within the offense.
It’s yet another setback for a team that hasn’t had the chance to see its full rotation together for long stretches. And that lack of continuity is starting to show.
At this point in the season-30 games in-the Nuggets are still searching for offensive balance. Jokić is averaging a near-30-point triple-double, and Murray isn’t far behind in the scoring column.
But as impressive as those numbers are, it’s not a sustainable formula. Not in the long run.
And certainly not in the playoffs, where defenses tighten up and depth becomes the difference between a deep run and an early exit.
Denver knows what it has in its stars. What it needs now is for the rest of the roster to step up-not just when the stars sit, but alongside them.
Because if this team wants to seriously defend its title, it can’t ask Jokić and Murray to carry this kind of load every night. The Nuggets need more scoring options, more consistency, and most of all, more chemistry.
The clock’s ticking.