Nikola Jokic is doing more on defense than usual, and the extra miles may be showing up on the other end.
The three-time MVP has long been the heartbeat of the Denver Nuggets offense, but through the first nine games of 2026-27, his defensive activity has jumped in a way fans aren’t used to seeing this early. He’s been active in passing lanes, quick with his hands and feet, and constantly getting a piece of the action. That has helped Denver post a 111.9 defensive rating in the 326 minutes Jokic has played, a mark that would rank 13th in the NBA over a full season.
He’s also been involved in more aggressive coverage than usual, helping trap in the lower midrange with Aaron Gordon and stepping out with Christian Braun on the perimeter. Jokic has even used the out-of-bounds lines like an extra defender at times. All of that coverage can add up.
And right now, his offensive numbers are down in a way that stands out for him.
Jokic’s PER sits at 26.0 through nine games, his lowest mark since 2019-20. That’s a big drop from the 31.0 to 32.3 range he’s lived in over the last six years, and it lines up with a major dip in efficiency. His true shooting percentage has fallen from 67.0% last season to 56.2% this year, which would be the lowest of his career.
The scoring profile has shifted, too. Jokic is shooting 57% on twos after hitting 63.6% last year, and his three-point shot has also gone missing and worsened since he returned from his 16-game knee injury absence last season.
The Nuggets’ offense has felt the impact. With Jokic on the floor, Denver is posting a 115.4 offensive rating, far below last year’s 128.2.
That drop can’t be explained away by spacing alone. The article points to the possibility of something physical, asking whether there’s still an issue with Jokic’s wrist or something going on with his elbow. He has been wearing a sleeve on his right arm, and the Nuggets listed that same “injury” as a precaution tied to travel woes before the Rockets game.
Whatever the root cause, it has clearly affected Jokic. The hope is that the extra defensive workload has simply left his conditioning a little off and that he can get it back. And at least one thing is helping Denver stay afloat: Jamal Murray has been playing at an All-Star level.
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Aaron Gordons Slow Start Is Testing Denvers Patience
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For Denver, the important part is what has not happened: there has been no real talk of moving on from him, and the organization appears willing to give him time to find his rhythm. That matters because Gordon remains woven into what the Nuggets want to be, and a rough opening stretch does not change how much they rely on his two-way presence. The question now is how long that patience lasts if the efficiency stays stuck where it is. [Read more 🡒]