Denver’s early-season struggles expose its reliance on Nikola Jokić

The Denver Nuggets were 4-3 to start the 2026-27 NBA season and 0-3 against teams with winning records when ESPN published its Nov. 5 analysis of their reliance on Nikola Jokić. ESPN argued Denver was not built to absorb a decline from its three-time MVP, pointing to an offense outside the top 10 for the first time since Jokić’s rookie season and a roster with few remaining players from its championship group.

A win over Toronto the previous night gave Jokić a stronger individual performance: he scored 32 points and recorded a triple-double in Denver’s 128-109 victory, For The Win reported. The outlet described it as a more comfortable display after his first six games. It came amid an uneven team start, rather than settling the questions ESPN raised about the roster.

Why Denver’s offense has looked vulnerable

The concerns also involve personnel. ESPN cited Aaron Gordon’s mobility after he missed more than half of the previous season, Cameron Johnson’s underperformance and results from a new-look second unit. The outlet said Denver’s familiar approach—using an elite offense to compensate for a weaker defense—had looked shaky early in the season. Adelman called the start a six-game sample and said he expected Jokić’s familiar shots to return; that was the coach’s view, not a guarantee.

The roster around Jokić and Murray

ESPN described Denver’s bench as short on playoff experience. Offseason additions DeMar DeRozan and Tyus Jones, it noted, were several years removed from substantial postseason impact. Jokić, Jamal Murray, Gordon, Christian Braun and Zeke Nnaji were the only players remaining from the 2022-23 championship roster, according to the analysis.

Denver had traded away its first-round picks in 2027, 2029 and 2032, ESPN reported. The outlet argued that the team lacked a succession plan if Jokić faced significant age-related decline or injury. It also quoted Adelman saying, “It’s too much responsibility for [Jokić and Murray],” and that he had “extreme trust in the others,” who needed to trust themselves. ESPN reported that Denver had heard boos at Ball Arena and had yet to earn a statement win against top-quality competition.

Jokić had criticized fans who booed during Denver’s home opener against New Orleans, saying they were not welcome at the arena, For The Win reported. After the Toronto win, he told fans, “I love you guys,” thanked them for staying and said it was a pleasure playing in front of them. The remarks followed a win and a strong night for Jokić; the roster and team-performance concerns ESPN described remained part of Denver’s early-season picture.