The Denver Nuggets have been riding a rollercoaster this season, with injuries to key players like Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray disrupting their rhythm. But Sunday night’s 128-112 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers offered a glimpse of what this team can achieve when fully healthy.
For the first time in months, the Nuggets rolled out their primary starting lineup, and Nikola Jokic didn't hold back on its significance. “We definitely need to stay healthy and get collectively in one direction,” Jokic emphasized.
With only 10 games left in the regular season, the urgency in his voice was clear. Jokic knows that staying healthy and unified is crucial for the Nuggets to make a serious playoff push.
Despite boasting one of the NBA's deepest rosters, Denver’s title hopes have been hampered by injuries. The core lineup of Jokic, Murray, Christian Braun, Aaron Gordon, and Cam Johnson has only played together 16 times this season. Yet, their impressive stats-averaging 37.8 points with an offensive rating of 122.2 and a defensive rating of 107.8-suggest they could have been even more formidable without the setbacks.
Cam Johnson echoed these sentiments, celebrating the return of a fully healthy squad. “It’s a great feeling having everyone back,” he shared.
Johnson highlighted the team’s depth and versatility, both offensively and defensively. With 10 games remaining, he sees this as an opportunity to climb the standings and gear up for the playoffs.
Sitting tied for fourth in the West with a 44-28 record, the Nuggets have shown resilience. Their recent form, including a 6-4 record over the last 10 games and a two-game winning streak, indicates they’re hitting their stride at the right time. Jokic’s MVP-level performance-averaging 28.1 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 10.5 assists-has been pivotal in this resurgence.
Forward Peyton Watson summed up the team’s confidence, stating, “We know we’ve got a good team. When we’re healthy, nobody can beat us.”
This belief will be crucial as Denver faces challenges in their final regular-season stretch, including matchups against the Spurs and Thunder. Overcoming these hurdles will be key to building momentum for the postseason.
As the Nuggets look to solidify their playoff position, the return of their full lineup could be the catalyst they need. With Jokic leading the charge, Denver is poised to make some noise in the playoffs-if they can keep their health intact.