The Denver Nuggets hit crisis mode

• The Nuggets sit in sixth place through Tuesday afternoon and face a difficult remaining schedule.

State of play: Denver could find themselves in the play-in tournament for the NBA playoffs — an unthinkable position for a team once claiming the second-best odds to win this season's title.

• Nikola Jokić continues posting almost nightly triple-doubles, but it hasn't made a difference in close losses against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Los Angeles Clippers and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Between the lines: Forward Aaron Gordon's heralded return from injury against the New York Knicks at Ball Arena last Friday turned into a nightmare as the Nuggets lost 142-103.

• The game marked the first time its five starters were together since Nov. 12, per the AP.

What's next: The Nuggets host the Houston Rockets Wednesday with tip-off scheduled for 8pm on ESPN.

• The Rockets are two spots ahead of Denver in the standings. A win would break a two-game losing streak for the Nuggets.