The Denver Nuggets were bounced from the playoffs in the first round by the Minnesota Timberwolves, putting their title window dangerously close to closing. The opening for a title may be even smaller now after witnessing what the San Antonio Spurs did to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.
The Spurs went into OKC and stole Game 1 on the road, 122-115, in a double-overtime thriller in which Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs showed everyone just how improved they are in a very short period of time. The Spurs put everyone on notice with the win, and regardless of how the series unfolds, it's a harsh reminder for Nuggets fans about just how far the Nuggets may be from getting back to a championship level.
The Nuggets may be in trouble next year, and beyond
The Nuggets weren't close this year. They were exposed for being a poor defensive team against the Timberwolves, and their offense disappeared in the series. The Nuggets never looked the part, and they didn't even have the swagger like they were going to blast through the playoffs on their way to a title. They just looked "off" for the most part.
But the Spurs were not off against the Thunder in Game 1. Totally the opposite. Wemby was a force, and he's probably going to take the best player in the world title from Nikola Jokic real soon if he keeps this up. Wemby put up a 41-point, 24-rebound, 3-assist, 3-block, and 1-steal stat line on the road against the MVP's team.
The Nuggets already had to deal with the Thunder, who were a force last year and would be a thorn in the Nuggets' side for years to come. But now the Spurs have come out of nowhere this season to put their name in the hat for the thorniest team for everyone in the West.
The Spurs are very young
The Nuggets are in trouble with the Spurs. They're a very young team, and they're already this good. Their starting lineup in Game 1 was the youngest starting lineup in conference finals history. And the Spurs core is all under contract for at least one year, and most of them will be around two to three more years, perhaps more.
The Spurs are set up for the future very well, and they're every bit as good, if not better, than the Thunder now. It was a rapid ascension to the top, and it should be a wake-up call for the Nuggets that their title window is getting smaller by the day without some big changes.
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