They can't win in the clutch. They're struggling with the playoff teams. They aren't healthy. The Nuggets have been hearing it all. But after perhaps the grittiest comeback win of the season, they are changing the narrative and reminding everyone just how dangerous this team can be when their stars play at their world-class level.
The Nuggets, coming off a 36-point blowout win at home against the Rockets, traveled to San Antonio, lost an hour, but gained immeasurable confidence in their stunning come-from-behind win over the Spurs. The Nuggets trailed by as many as 13 points with 11:30 left in the fourth quarter, but had closed that gap to one two minutes later.
The Nuggets finally grabbed the lead with 4:39 left on a Jamal Murray step-back three, pulled away by nine points one minute later, and held on for the 136-131 victory.
Narrative changing win despite Wemby's absence
The biggest story around the Nuggets has been their inability to win clutch games, or games within five points with under five minutes to play. Coming into the Spurs game, the Nuggets were just 16-17 in clutch games, a startling number for a team that never used to have a problem in tight contests.
Sure, the Spurs were without MVP candidate and future "world's best basketball player," Victor Wembanyama, but they're still picked as a top contender, and it doesn't detract from the comeback win at all. This late in the season, a win is a win, but the way you win is just as important.
The Nuggets were down by as many as 20 points, clawed back, and got the win. They never quit, showed championship-winning heart, and sent the whole league a memo: this squad's still got the gusto to win it all.
The Joker and Murray show was on full display
Nikola Jokic put up another ridiculous stat line, and what he does is so commonplace that when he plays even a little poorly, it sticks out. But the Joker had 31 points, 20 rebounds, and 12 assists, his 10th such game with 30/20/10, four more than the entire NBA over the last 50 years.
Not to be outdone, Murray finished the night with 39 points and 7 assists, including the big threes and floaters late that kept Denver in the lead.
Now at nearly full-strength, the Nuggets have one more big test against the Lakers. A win provides them with the crucial tie-breaker against every team around them in the standings. The Nuggets are back in the driver's seat, flipped the script on everyone, and are out for more.