When Nikola Jokic went down with an injury against the Heat, Nuggets fans feared the worst. Even after initial relief that the Serbian superstar would miss only a month rather than the rest of the season, deep skepticism lingered about Denver’s ability to survive without their superstar—especially when considering that Christian Braun and Aaron Gordon were already sidelined with prolonged absences, and their return would require careful reintegration.
In a cruel twist of fate, Jonas Valanciunas—acquired precisely for this scenario—went down just one game into the Jokic-less stretch after dominating the first half against Toronto. On top of all that, Jamal Murray would miss several games during this span for a variety of reasons.
After hearing all that, it would be logical to expect the Nuggets to have absolutely collapsed during that period. Instead, the unthinkable happened. Several weeks later, Denver sits at a stunning 8-5 without Jokic. Yes, a favorable schedule against a number of underwhelming Eastern Conference opponents helped—including an embarrassing loss by the 76ers to a Denver squad missing its top six players—but the success shouldn’t be minimized. This run has proven the Nuggets’ bench has the necessary depth for another championship run and, at least for the moment, has given them the luxury of not having to rush Jokic back.
The Nuggets Have the Depth to Win a Championship Again
During this stretch, several unlikely heroes have emerged. Players the organization considered expendable—like Zeke Nnaji and Jalen Pickett—stepped up when needed and delivered extraordinary performances, with their effort against the 76ers being the highlight. Meanwhile, Peyton Watson, a young talent who had already proven himself as a reliable role player, has revealed offensive abilities few thought possible and has forced the organization to rethink his status within the franchise. And above all, Jamal Murray has solidified his All-Star campaign by carrying the offense in the Serbian’s absence with some amazing performances.
The Rise of Peyton Watson
Watson’s breakout campaign began when he stepped in for the injured Braun and Gordon and more than held his own in their absence, showing that his shooting had progressed to the point where defenses could no longer freely help off him. But this stretch without Jokic has hinted at a higher ceiling. Watson’s on-ball creation and scoring ability indicate he might be more than a mere role-player and is beginning to show the traits of a future All-Star.
His offensive growth has exceeded even the most optimistic projections. Watson is finally utilizing his length and athleticism to become a dangerous finisher at the rim, consistently generating good looks through well-timed deceleration, Eurosteps, and spin moves that at times flash shades of a mini Giannis Antetokounmpo.
While his defensive intensity has dipped slightly as his offensive usage has spiked, he’s proven himself a core player the Nuggets must retain, regardless of second apron implications. Watson may be the biggest beneficiary of this stretch, as it will likely result in a lucrative contract extension—one he has thoroughly earned.
Murray Seizes His All-Star Moment
His ability to shoulder the massive offensive void Jokic’s absence created during this stretch has solidified his case for a first-ever All-Star selection.
The Canadian has shown that the 2023 version of himself is back—a player who was arguably the best second option in the NBA. If that player has truly returned, the Nuggets once again possess the league’s best one-two punch, which would make them favorites in the West again.
The Supporting Cast Steps Up
Perhaps the most welcome surprise has been the play of the supporting cast. Zeke Nnaji, long criticized for failing to live up to his contract, is playing some of the best basketball of his career. He finally looks like the versatile, switchable big the Nuggets envisioned when they gave him his contract extension: someone who enables the defense to fully commit to a switching scheme—something impossible with their Serbian superstar—while also showcasing different facets to his offensive game, particularly with strong drives to the rim he had rarely shown before.
Jalen Pickett also deserves recognition. He has provided impressive stability in the backcourt and shown that he can grow into a dynamic instant-offense option off the bench. His standout moment came in a career-high 29-point performance against the 76ers, when he led the Nuggets to victory, 125-124.
The Nuggets’ Bench has the Necessary Depth for Another Title Run
Of course, I left out several players —especially the veteran acquisitions like Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown. I omitted them because I’ll dedicate separate articles to each of them.
There is also DaRon Holmes, who has battled serious injuries early in his professional career but is finally getting the chance to show what he can do. And even Julian Strawther, who recently had a 20 point performance against the Bucks that led the Nuggets to their most recent victory.
Overall, this roster can go nine or ten deep come playoff time, and a lack of depth won’t sink this year’s championship hopes. This Nuggets’ bench is good enough to allow them to win their second title.
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