The Denver Nuggets are dark-horse NBA title contenders

DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 08: Bones Hyland #3 of the Denver Nuggets celebrates with Nikola Jokic #15 against the Miami Heat at Ball Arena on November 8, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)

The Denver Nuggets are once again having a solid season. They currently have a record of 42-28, putting them at sixth in the Western Conference. But how can a six seed make a run in the very competitive western conference? This is how.

First, it’s important to point out that the Nuggets have been injured and their record does not show how talented this team is. Both Jamal Murray and Micheal Porter Jr. have basically missed the whole season.

The Denver Nuggets are dark-horse NBA title contenders

However, both players will likely return for the playoffs, giving Denver their Big 3 back. Both Murray and Porter will be much-needed additions for this team if they have any chance of making a run.

But let’s talk about the centerpiece of the Nuggets – last season’s MVP Nikola Jokic. The Serbian big man could be in for an encore as he is once again an MVP candidate. Jokic is posting stats of 26.0 points, 13.8 rebounds, 8.1 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. If Jokic wasn’t playing like an MVP, the Nuggets would be lost without him.

The Nuggets also have a pretty deep bench. Denver has players such as Bones Hyland, Austin Rivers, Facundo Campazzo, and DeMarcus Cousins. Plus, when Murray and Porter return to the lineup, Monte Morris and Jeff Green will also return to the bench, making the unit even stronger.

The one thing holding Denver back is that they are going to have a long, treacherous road to the Finals. They most likely will face off against two of these four teams – the Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies, Utah Jazz, and Dallas Mavericks.

All four of those teams could also make a run of their own come playoff time. That’s without even mentioning the Phoenix Suns, who are also going to be there as the top team in the NBA.

Also, Murray and Porter will probably have to ease into things. Especially Porter, who has had back problems throughout his whole career. But can the Nuggets survive with their star players only getting around 20 minutes a game on the biggest stage in the NBA?

It will be interesting to see what Denver does with Murray and Porter. They could choose to ease them into playing shape before the playoffs or they could just roll with the starting lineup they use now and have both players come off the bench.

So can Denver win their first championship this season? They would need a lot of things to go their way. But opposing teams should definitely fear the Nuggets if they draw them in the playoffs. Don’t be shocked if Denver is playing in the Conference or NBA Finals by the end of the season.