Nuggets Roll to 3-1 with League-Best Offense, Wins Over the Suns, Timberwolves, Pelicans

The Denver Nuggets have always been an offense-first team, and this year is no different despite a retooled roster.

If anything, Denver’s offensive success has been better, especially considering the jump in production from the bench this season.

Through four games, the Nuggets’ offense is averaging 128.3 points per game, second in the NBA behind the Philadelphia 76ers. Denver leads the league in team field goal percentage at 52.7%, and also leads the league in point differential at +15.7 per game.

This has all been possible with limited shot-making from three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic. Jokic is averaging 20.3 points per game, a drastic drop-off from his 29.6 points per game last season, but is second in the league in rebounds per game (14.5) and leading the league in assists per game (11.3). Jokic is spreading the ball around, and the Nuggets are enjoying great offensive success: a win-win.

Jokic has also posted triple doubles in four straight games to start the season, tying a record set by both Russell Westbrook and Oscar Robertson. No player has ever had five straight triple doubles to begin a season.

Another big reason for the Nuggets’ early success is their production with Jokic off the floor: something that has been the team’s Achilles heel for basically as long as Jokic has been a superstar. That’s thanks to veteran big man Jonas Valanciunas, who has been putting in 8.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game, on 56% shooting in 12.5 minutes per game.

Tim Hardaway Jr. has also been a bright addition, averaging 11.3 points per game off the bench on 51.6% shooting and 47.6% three-point shooting.

The sample size is small and the Nuggets’ schedule hasn’t exactly been a gauntlet so far, but you can play the opponents in front of you, and Denver has been one of the best teams in the NBA thus far. Denver’s best opponent was the Golden State Warriors, who outdueled the Nuggets in overtime despite a 50-piece from Aaron Gordon. After that, beating the Phoenix Suns at home was pretty easy money, beating the Minnesota Timberwolves on the road became easier with the absence of Anthony Edwards, and the New Orleans Pelicans never really stood a chance on Wednesday night at Ball Arena.

**SEE ALSO:** **Nuggets Lose Season Opener to Warriors in OT Despite Career-High 50 Points from Aaron Gordon**

The Nuggets beat the Suns 133-111 in their home opener at Ball Arena, behind Jamal Murray’s 23 points and Jokic’s 14 point, 14 rebound, 15 assist triple double. 43 points from Murray, along with a 19-rebound Jokic triple double, lifted the Nuggets over the Timberwolves 127-114. And most recently, a dominant performance on both ends of the floor gave the Nuggets a 122-88 win over the Pelicans, behind yet another Jokic triple double.

The Nuggets are 3-1 and could easily be 4-0 if they didn’t allow the Warriors to force overtime in the season-opener. Denver looks like one of the best teams in the Western Conference, just like they have been for four or five seasons now.

Denver’s upcoming schedule also includes some more games that look very winnable: at the Portland Trail Blazers on Halloween night, vs. the Sacramento Kings on Monday, November 3, and vs. the Miami Heat on Wednesday, November 5, all leading to a rematch with the Golden State Warriors at Ball Arena on Friday, November 7.

Will the Nuggets be 6-1 heading in to that game? Be sure to follow Sakmann Sports on Twitter/X or on Facebook for more!