The Denver Nuggets are doing more than just surviving without Nikola Jokić - they're thriving. Since the three-time MVP went down with a knee injury on January 29th, Denver has managed to hold its ground in the hyper-competitive Western Conference, going 9-5 in his absence. That record alone is impressive, but when you consider they’ve also been missing several key rotation players during that stretch, it becomes downright remarkable.
Jokić was initially set to be reevaluated four weeks after the injury, and while there was some optimism that he might return around that timeline, that’s officially off the table. According to reports, he’ll be reevaluated again in another week, meaning the Nuggets will have to navigate at least four more games without their cornerstone.
And yet, here they are - tied for second in the West at 31-15, right alongside the Spurs and just 5.5 games behind the Thunder, who suddenly look a little more vulnerable than they did a month ago. For a team that’s historically struggled without its superstar, this run has flipped the narrative. Instead of slipping, the Nuggets have surged.
But let’s not get too comfortable. The West is a minefield, and as strong as Denver has looked, the margin for error remains razor-thin.
They’re only four games ahead of the Suns, who sit seventh - the first team in play-in territory. That means one rough week could undo a lot of the heavy lifting this group has done.
The upcoming schedule doesn’t offer much breathing room, either. The Nuggets host the East-leading Pistons on Tuesday, then get what might be a slight break with the Nets on Thursday - though no game is a gimme in this league.
After that, it’s a back-to-back with the red-hot Clippers on Friday and the defending champion Thunder on Sunday. Then it’s off to the East Coast for a quick two-game trip against the Pistons and Knicks.
There’s a very real possibility that Denver has to play all six of those games without Jokić. And while 9-5 without him is nothing to scoff at, a 1-5 or 2-4 stretch over the next week could put them right back in the thick of the play-in scramble.
So far, this team has stepped up in every way imaginable. Role players have elevated their games, the defense has tightened, and the coaching staff has kept things steady.
But the mission isn't complete. The Nuggets have bought Jokić some much-needed recovery time - now they’ve got to hold the line just a little longer.
The West doesn’t wait for anyone. And while Denver has proven it can win without its MVP, the next few games will test just how far that resilience can take them.