7-3! The Thunder are rattled, completely shaken! The NBA's most potent offensive team has emerged.

The Nuggets’ roster depth is terrifying; since Jokic got injured, they have achieved a 7-3 record, a 70% winning rate, and currently hold third place in the Western Conference with 29 wins and 13 losses, tied with the Spurs who are second.

During Jokic’s injury period, Murray was given the opportunity to demonstrate his ability to lead the team,From January until now, he has been averaging 32.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 10 assists per game, shooting 52% from the field, 44% from three, and 89% from the free-throw line. His scoring ranks second in the league during this span (only behind Doncic’s 33.8 points), while his assists per game are the highest in the same period.

Undoubtedly, this guy is highly deserving of an All-Star selection this year.

Besides that, Payton-Watson also deserves major praise. As the 30th pick in the 2022 first round, he has exploded this season, scoring 20+ points in eight of his last ten games, becoming a reliable and steady offensive weapon for the Nuggets.

Nowadays, more than ever, fans are eager to see the full-strength Nuggets free from injuries. Many believe they will be the biggest obstacle for the Thunder defending their title, with some even calling Denver the top championship contender this season...

According to the data, the Nuggets are currently the highest-scoring team in the NBA,leading the league with an average of 122.5 points per game, boasting a 50.2% field goal percentage, 40.3% from three-point range, an offensive rating of 122.1, and an impressive true shooting percentage of 62.2%.However, their average points allowed per game at 117.2 (ranked 19th) and defensive efficiency at 116.6 (ranked 22nd) are less impressive.

As the saying goes, offense wins the crowd, but defense wins championships.

The Nuggets’ imbalance between offense and defense is largely due to Gordon and Johnson, two key defensive anchors, rarely playing together — one gets injured right after the other.

In short, once everyone is healthy and on the court, Denver will become even more daunting for opponents.

Since winning their first-ever championship in 2023, the Nuggets have fallen in the second round of the playoffs two years in a row; the fleeting allure of mid-tier success can never match the satisfaction of reaching the summit.