The Denver Nuggets are having a strong season. They have shown some inconsistencies with Nikola Jokic leading the offense, but they remain near the top in the Western Conference. Their excellent start created high expectations. Many believed they would dominate like the Cleveland Cavaliers or the Oklahoma City Thunder. Those teams have led their conference with authority. Because of that comparison, Michael Malone addressed the recent dip in performance. He explained the factors that have caused his team to lose momentum.
“The defense, I’ve talked about it a ton…That’s been the most disappointing part of this year is just the huge drop off. We didn’t go from eight to 12, we didn’t go from eight to 15, we went from eight to. I don’t even know what it is right now. It’s a severe drop-off. You can’t just rely on your offense to outscore teams. We have to get this bad taste out of our mouth because I hate losing. It’s driving me crazy,” stated Malone.
Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets have dropped four games in a row. This losing streak has sparked concerns across the league. Many believe they could lose their grip on the fourth spot in the Western Conference since the Minnesota Timberwolves are right behind them.
However, the Nuggets still have three games left in the regular season. This gives them a chance to turn things around. If they bounce back quickly, they can hold onto their current position. Every game now carries playoff implications and leaves no room for error.
Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets looks on against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at the United Center.
Nikola Jokic is still playing at an MVP level
Although the Denver Nuggets are navigating a rough stretch in the NBA, Nikola Jokic remains one of the league’s most dominant forces. He has scored more than 32 points in four of his last five appearances, proving his individual brilliance has not wavered.
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His most impressive showing came on April 1st against the Minnesota Timberwolves, when he erupted for a career-high 61 points in one of the most electrifying performances of the season.
Are the Denver Nuggets at risk of falling to the NBA play-in tournament?
The Denver Nuggets still control their own path to a direct playoff spot. They have three games left in the regular season. Nikola Jokic and his team must win all of them to qualify without depending on other results. This pressure exists because of how tight the Western Conference standings are.
The gap between fifth and eighth place is extremely small. A single win or loss could change everything. For that reason, the Nuggets could finish in the top six or they could drop to the Play-In Tournament.
Nevertheless, the Nuggets have already shown they can stay consistent throughout the season. They proved that during tough stretches and key games. Michael Malone’s self-criticism shows how aware the team is of its current struggles. He knows what needs to improve and does not hide from it. In addition, Nuggets’ roster has always been filled with strong defensive players. It gives them the tools to respond when pressure builds.
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