Almost 3 years removed from winning the title, the Denver Nuggets have continued to stay in the championship mix, due in large part to the basketball wizardry that is Nikola Jokic. After 7-game losses in the Western Conference Semifinals each of the last two seasons, a slight shake-up was in order, moving off the massive Michael Porter Jr contract and adding some key depth behind Jokic (Jonas Valančiūnas) as well as on the wings with the addition of Cam Johnson (acquired in the MPJ trade with the Nets), Tim Hardaway Jr, and the return of Bruce Brown who last played for Denver during their title run. Recent injuries to Christian Braun and Aaron Gordon could derail what has been a promising start to the season, but the general belief seems to be that a fully healthy Denver could be the only thing standing in the way of an Oklahoma City repeat.
San Antonio meanwhile is missing their resident basketball wunderkind, but they’ve managed to hold down the fort in the wake of Victor Wembanyama’s absence. Winners of 4 of their last 5, tonight nonetheless starts a stretch of challenging road games that continues into the first couple weeks of December. With Wemby out for at least another week and possibly even longer, the rest of the Spurs are going to have to bring their A+ game every night if they hope to maintain positioning in the West. This is especially true tonight, going up against perennial MVP candidate Jokic.
**Spurs Injuries:** Victor Wembanyama, calf strain (OUT), Stephon Castle, hip flexor (OUT), Jordan McLaughlin, hamstring (OUT),
**Nuggets Injuries:** Aaron Gordon, hamstring (OUT), Christian Braun, ankle (OUT), Julian Strawther, back (OUT)
* Nikola Jokic might be playing the best basketball of his career to start this season, which is crazy to think about considering what he’s already accomplished in his career. For the first time in forever, Denver actually has someone capable of coming in and spelling him for even just a few precious moments with the addition of Jonas Valančiūnas. Early season injuries have already left Denver shorthanded and will put their new depth to the test sooner rather than later, but as long as Jokic is suiting up, the Nuggets will be formidable going up against any team in the Association.
* A notoriously slow starter, Jamal Murray has come into this season refreshed and energized. He doesn’t live at the line like some of the best lead guards do, but he remains a dangerous shooter who can go on big runs all by himself, the perfect compliment to the all-around offensive brilliance of Jokic. Keeping Murray in check is the first part in any successful strategy to quieting the Denver offense.
* Dylan Harper didn’t exactly light it up in his first game back from a calf injury that kept him out of a huge chunk of November, but having the rookie guard back is a great boon for a team still down two of their best guys. Harper played 16 minutes against the Trail Blazers, expect that to tick slowly up as Mitch Johnson eases him back into the rotation.
For the Nuggets fan’s perspective, please visit [Denver Stiffs](https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.denverstiffs.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7C%7Cda7f28e974b649a077f408de2e305d88%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638998982409406546%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=AoXeR5pwbNSqGMm%2F3FDcrvktyFivLc8bamZSdFQ5R8Q%3D&reserved=0).
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