Feb 18, 2026 - News

Title hopes remain for Nuggets despite injury bug

Esteban L. Hernandez

Denver Nuggets player dribbles basketball while Phoenix Suns defender tries to block, other players in background on basketball court during game. — Jamal Murray dribbles around Nikola Jokic against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo: Chris Coduto/Getty Images

Despite multiple injured starters, the Denver Nuggets are building a playoff-caliber squad that can go toe-to-toe with any starting five in the NBA.

Why it matters: The Nuggets opened the season as title contenders, and, despite setbacks, still look poised to chase another Larry O'Brien trophy.

State of play: Starters Christian Braun, Aaron Gordon, Cam Johnson, Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray have all missed multiple games so far this season due to injuries.

Denver's newfound depth — a major weakness in past seasons — kept the team winning in Jokić's absence; the team went 10-6 without their Serbian star, keeping pace in the Western Conference.
The Nuggets sit in 3rd place in the conference as the NBA resumes play this week after the All-Star break — where Murray made his first career selection.

Zoom in: The starters' lost time so far this season morphed into gains for the bench, as young players like Spencer Jones, Jalen Pickett and Peyton Watson shone to buoy Denver's chances at a top playoff seed.

Veterans Tim Hardaway Jr. and Jonas Valanciunas, who arrived in Denver to bolster the team's bench, also proved their worth in the starters' absence.

What we're watching: The Nuggets hold the second-best odds to win an NBA title per DraftKings Sportsbook, behind the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, who eliminated Denver from last year's playoffs.

What's next: The Nuggets travel to the Intuit Dome on Thursday to face the Los Angeles Clippers.

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Title hopes remain for Nuggets despite injury bug

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