With the postseason looming, the Denver Nuggets hold a respectable 42-27 record while scrapping for one of the top seeds in a loaded Western Conference. And that’s despite relentless injuries being a burden all year long.
Nikola Jokić missed stretches earlier with knee trouble. Peyton Watson remains out with a hamstring strain, while Aaron Gordon stayed sidelined for a considerable time with hamstring issues of his own.
All that said, the team still leans heavily on Jokić’s brilliance to stay afloat. But the absence of key pieces creates obvious execution gaps, especially when games tighten up in the fourth quarter. This could spell trouble for Denver’s playoff ceiling.
Comebacks That Inspire, Collapses That Hurt
The Denver Nuggets recently delivered one of their best comeback efforts of the season against the San Antonio Spurs.
On March 12, Denver erased a 20-point deficit to win 136-131 in overtime. Jokić dominated with 31 points, 20 rebounds, and 12 assists. Murray exploded for 39 points in a clutch performance, showing what Denver looks like when everything connects. Spencer Jones contributed 19 points off the bench, with several timely shots that kept the rally alive.
These moments prove the team still has real fight and firepower.
Unfortunately, the close losses tell a more concerning story and highlight the ongoing late-game problems.
On March 9, the Nuggets’ late-game breakdowns came back to bite against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Denver fell 129-126 after Shai Gilgeous-Alexander buried the game-winner. Days later, Luka Doncic hit a buzzer-beater in overtime to give the Lakers a 127-125 victory, after Austin Reaves made a brilliant play to tie the game.
These heartbreaking defeats follow the same script: strong play for three quarters, then breakdowns in the clutch moments.
The pattern is clear and frustrating for fans who see the talent yet continue to watch leads evaporate.
The Nuggets’ Ugly Truth by the Numbers
There is data to back up the Denver Nuggets’ late-game woes.
Denver currently sits around .500 (17-18 as of Wednesday) in the clutch. These are games decided in the final five minutes, when the score is within five points. Its net rating in these games, the Nuggets’ -12.1 ranks bottom-four in the league.
Some stretches since Jokić returned from his knee injury have been even rougher, dipping as low as 6-13 in certain samples. Their clutch defensive rating ranks near the bottom of the league, allowing opponents to score easily in the paint during crunch time. Rotations fall apart, closeouts arrive late or not at all, and rim protection disappears when it matters most.
These numbers make it obvious why so many close games slip away. Additionally, the injury wave hits hardest at both the perimeter and in the frontcourt.
Watson’s extended absence leaves a massive gap in wing defense, switching, and perimeter containment. Murray’s recurring ankle problems rob him of explosiveness in big moments, while Gordon’s hamstring setbacks reduce his ability to provide help defense and versatility.
Without consistent health, the starting lineup rarely spends meaningful minutes together on the court. That lack of chemistry and reps shows up clearest in pressure situations where trust and timing are everything.
Nuggets’ Adjustments in Progress
David Adelman stepped into the head coaching role late last season. This year, he did a solid job keeping the ship steady during Jokić’s earlier absence. He deserves credit for navigating some of the toughest stretches without the MVP on the floor.
However, late-game decision-making and scheme execution still feel a step off compared to past years. The new voice brings fresh ideas, but the players haven’t fully synced with the tweaks in high-leverage moments yet.
Overall, there are some ways the Nuggets’ late-game breakdowns could become less of an issue.
On defense, sharper closeouts and quicker switches would shut down driving lanes and eliminate easy mismatches in the clutch. Denver’s rim protection needs to return: from better help rotations and contest timing to stopping late paint-scoring bursts.
Offensively, the team would benefit from cleaner spacing, faster reads in pick-and-rolls, and more movement to create open looks for Jokić and Murray. Ditching forced hero shots in favor of simple, effective plays would reduce turnovers and bad possessions. These small but consistent fixes could easily turn several recent losses into hard-fought wins.
Watson is progressing and getting closer to a return, which would immediately strengthen wing defense and switching options. Gordon and Murray should regain full strength in the coming weeks, adding back explosiveness and versatility across the board. A mostly healthy rotation would allow the starters to build real chemistry through extended minutes together.
The Nuggets have repeatedly shown they can rally from big deficits and fight through adversity. With their elite core intact and the fight still burning, a healthier stretch could completely shift the narrative heading into the playoffs.
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