If the first few Nuggets preseason games have felt like they’ve dragged on forever, there’s a simple explanation: Denver keeps living at the foul line.
The Nuggets have turned physicality into a clear edge, and it’s showing up in a big way. Through three preseason games, they’re drawing 30.7 fouls per game, a sharp jump from their regular-season average in 2025-26.
That has pushed them to 36.3 free throws per game, up 40.8% from last season’s mark. If that pace held, it would have led the league by 8.8 attempts per game a year ago.
That kind of volume was on full display in Denver’s 133-128 win over the Chicago Bulls in its third preseason game. The Nuggets went to the line 46 times in that one after taking 42 free throws in a 117-106 win over the Utah Jazz in the previous game. The volume has made for longer nights, but it has also made life miserable for opposing defenses.
“I do think because of our size, we're unique. And if some of these teams want to play smaller against guys like Aaron [Gordon] and [Nikola] Jokic, they're going to get to the foul line,” David Adelman said after the win over Chicago.
Denver is not chasing fouls for the sake of chasing fouls. The point is the physical style, especially on offense, and the whistles are following. The size advantage is part of it, and so is the way the Nuggets are finishing through contact.
The one area that has not matched the rest of the production is the line itself. Denver shot 70% from the stripe against Utah and 71% against Chicago, and Adelman called that “horrendous.”
Still, the starters have carried their weight there. Jokic, Gordon, Jamal Murray, Christian Braun and Cameron Johnson combined to shoot 82.12% from the free-throw line last season, so the issue is more about the bench cleaning things up than the first unit.
Among the reserves, rookie second-round pick Bryce Hopkins has stood out. Adelman praised the way Hopkins handles contact, and the production backed it up against the Bulls, where he went 6-for-8 at the line.
“I give Bryce a lot of credit. He created contact.
He played through contact. If you do that, you get rewarded,” Adelman said.
For Denver, the bigger picture is hard to miss. More trips to the stripe mean more chances for easy points, and they can also help keep opposing starters in foul trouble and on the bench longer. That opens the door for more time against backup defenders and, in turn, more scoring opportunities.
The games may be taking a little longer. The Nuggets probably do not mind one bit.
In Other News...
Christian Braun Is Putting A Real Nuggets Rotation Decision On The Table
Christian Braun entered preseason with a real chance to solidify his standing in the Nuggets rotation, but the early returns have made things more complicated. Through Denvers exhibition slate, Braun has struggled to find a rhythm, putting up just 4.3 points while shooting well below his usual standard and having trouble on the defensive end. For a team that leans on continuity and clear roles, even a short preseason slump can matter when the minutes at the wing are already a point of discussion.
Julian Strawther has given the staff more to consider on the offensive side, while Alpha Diallo has made a case with his defense, creating a bit of pressure on a spot Braun had seemed positioned to keep. None of that changes what Braun has meant to the Nuggets, but it does mean his hold on his current role is no longer completely settled. If the regular season begins the way preseason has gone, Denver may have to decide whether to ride through the rough patch or start adjusting the rotation sooner than expected. [Read more 🡒]
Nuggets Bench Battle Just Created A Tough Rotation Decision
Michael Malone is using the preseason to sort out the Nuggets secondary rotation, and the goal is fairly clear: build a dependable 10-man group that lets the starters and the bench operate cleanly. Tyus Jones, Marvin Bagley III, DeMar DeRozan, and Spencer Jones have already carved out defined roles, which has sharpened the focus on the last remaining spot and made every minute in camp matter a little more.
Alpha Diallo and Julian Strawther are the two names still pushing for that opening, and both have made a case in different ways. Diallo has brought defensive versatility, while Strawther has answered with three-point shooting, leaving Denver with a familiar preseason dilemma: deciding whether the final bench chair should go to the player who changes the game with stops or the one who stretches the floor. [Read more 🡒]
Nikola Jokic Keeps Earning The Respect Nuggets Fans Love To See
Nikola Jokic keeps showing why he sits in a class of his own, and it is not just Nuggets fans who have noticed. Around the league, players such as Deni Avdija and Draymond Green have talked about how difficult he is to guard, a reminder that his value goes well beyond the box score. Jokics blend of passing, shooting and polished work on the block makes every possession feel like a problem for an opponent, especially when Denver can play through him the way it likes to.
The bigger picture for Denver is just how steady that advantage has become. Jokic turned in another strong statistical season and remains in position to chase a fourth MVP award if he can stay healthy, which would only add to his standing among the leagues elite. For the Nuggets, the appreciation is familiar, but it still matters each time an opponent says out loud what Denver has known for years: guarding Jokic is a miserable assignment, and there still does not seem to be a clean answer for it. [Read more 🡒]