The Denver Nuggets still sit atop the NBA Western Conference and they will step up to the matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The win against Memphis was the key to that. The Denver Nuggets will need more wins like that one while we await a healthy lineup.
A week ago, the Nuggets were giant killers toppling the best basketball had to offer. This week they’re missing 3 starters and yet to see the return of valuable players starting the season injured.
Losses against Charlotte and Atlanta showed just how much the Nuggets have lost to injury, but the win over Memphis showed that they can fight and claw to stay on top still ahead of Golden State and Oklahoma City.
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So while this lineup doesn’t appear matched to be champions, they do have the ability to win and maybe even steal wins while several important players get healthy.
Nikola Jokic seems to have elevated his game since the loss of Paul Millsap to a broken toe scoring over 25pts and grabbing over 11 rebounds in those two games. Jamal Murray has done his part despite being banged up himself.
The talents of Gary Harris are sorely missed on both ends of the court, but Malik Beasley and Torrey Craig will have to try and fill his shoes and newly added Nick young could provide a scoring spark.
Starting with the OKC game, the Nuggets will have to find a way to keep the wolves at bay while players heal and they can once again become the giant killer out west. Will Barton is now past his 6 week timeline so could return soon and ESPN reported that rookie Jared Vanderbilt is getting closer to availability.
Isaiah Thomas said he is hoping for a December return.
So help is on the way and each night the Nuggets get a win, they keep from falling in the standings. In the wild wild west, many of the contenders play each other on a nightly basis so every win means the Nuggets don’t lose any ground and perhaps gain some.
Much of the season remains and Denver may be in survival mode for a little while, but they remain a pleasant surprise at number one in the Western Conference.