The Rollercoaster Season of the Injured Denver Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets' Up and Down Season

The Denver Nuggets have had a rollercoaster of a season so far in 2023-2024. After making it to the Western Conference Finals just two seasons ago, the Nuggets were expected to be one of the top teams in the West again this year.

However, injuries and inconsistent play have led to disappointing results at times. As of January 6th, the Nuggets have a 21-18 record and are currently 7th in the Western Conference standings.

Early Season Success

The Nuggets came flying out of the gates to start the year, winning 12 of their first 16 games. Back-to-back MVP Nikola Jokic was playing at an elite level again, newcomers Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Bruce Brown were providing quality minutes, and the team looked deep and dangerous.

There was talk that the Nuggets could challenge for the #1 seed out West. But unfortunately, the season took a turn shortly thereafter.

Injuries Take Their Toll

The Nuggets have been crushed by injuries to key players in 2022-2023. After losing Peyton Watson for the year to a torn ACL, veterans Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. have missed significant time as well.

Murray missed 11 games with injury, and Porter has been out over a month with a bothersome heel issue. These missing pieces have forced others like Aaron Gordon and Bones Hyland into larger roles.

An Up and Down Month of December

The injuries, expanded roles, and tough competition led to a rocky month of December for Denver. After starting the month 8-3, the Nuggets proceeded to drop six of their next seven games against tough Western Conference foes.

Coach Michael Malone commented on the reason behind the struggles: “It’s hard to win in this league on a consistent basis when you are relying on one-way players.”

He hinted that players like Gordon, Hyland and others need to expand their games on both ends of the court for the team to get back on track.

Recent Improvements

Despite Malone calling out players to step up in December, the Nuggets closed out 2022 by winning 5 of 7 games after their tough stretch.

The improved play has come thanks to Jokic continuing his MVP pace, offseason acquisition Kentavious Caldwell-Pope providing perimeter scoring, and the emergence of young guard Christian Braun.

Jokic Leading the Way

Nikola Jokic makes the Nuggets go, and he has been putting together another historically good statistical season in 2022-2023.

While his scoring his down slightly from a year ago, he is averaging a triple-double - 25.1 points, 11.0 rebounds, 9.9 assists per game. He also leads the league in PER and win shares again.

As long as Jokic stays healthy, the Nuggets will be contenders come playoff time in the tough Western Conference.

Caldwell-Pope Providing Offensive Punch

New starting shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was acquired in an offseason trade with the Wizards. The savvy veteran has given Denver a boost on the offensive end.

After averaging just 13.2 points per game last season, Caldwell-Pope has bumped his scoring up to 15 per contest in his first season with the Nuggets. He is shooting over 40% from 3-point range as well.

Emergence of Christian Braun

First round draft choice Christian Braun has seen his role grow extensively as the season has gone on. The 21-year old rookie has started 15 games due to injuries.

Braun has shown impressive poise and shot making ability early in his career while playing major minutes. He poured in a career-high 22 points in just his seventh career start back in December.

Second Half Outlook

At the midway point of the 2022-2023 campaign, the Denver Nuggets have been an inconsistent squad searching for stable footing.

If Murray and Porter Jr. can return and stay healthy to bolster Jokic, Caldwell-Pope and the improving Braun, Denver could make a second half run up the West standings into home court position.

But if the injury bug continues to bite, it could be another early playoff exit for the talented but snake-bitten Nuggets.

The standings watch will be on for the rest of the regular season in the Mile High City.