Breaking History: The Denver Nuggets’ Offensive Revolution and Nikola Jokić’s March to a Fourth MVP

DENVER — The basketball world is running out of adjectives for Nikola Jokić, and the NBA is running out of ways to stop the Denver Nuggets.

Following a thrilling overtime victory against the Houston Rockets—a game that featured a historic duel between Jokić and Alperen Şengün—the Nuggets have officially signaled that they are no longer just “contenders.” They are a statistical anomaly. With a 19–6 start to the 2025–26 season, the best 25-game opening in franchise history, Denver is currently weaponizing an offense that isn’t just leading the league; it is breaking the record books.

I. The 126.0 Efficiency: A League of Their Own

At the heart of Denver’s dominance is an offensive rating that defies modern basketball logic. Currently, the Nuggets are scoring 126 points per 100 possessions.

To put that into perspective, this doesn’t just lead the NBA—it shatters the historical curve. Relative to the league average, the Nuggets are performing 10 points per 100 possessions better than the rest of the field. No team in the history of the sport has ever maintained a differential that large over a significant stretch.

What makes this offensive explosion terrifying for the rest of the Western Conference is that it isn’t a product of “hero ball.” It is a symphony of spacing, cutting, and elite decision-making.

“I think it’s different nights, different guys,” Jokić said of the team’s scoring leap. “There’s always somebody to step up and give us the energy that we need.”

While the Oklahoma City Thunder currently hold the top seed in the West, Denver’s “margin for error” has widened significantly thanks to a revamped roster that has turned depth from a question mark into a primary weapon.

II. Nikola Jokić: Chasing the “Big O” and the Top 10 All-Time

If the Nuggets are the machine, Nikola Jokić is the cold-blooded engine. The reigning MVP is currently putting up a stat line that looks like it was plucked from a video game:

29.8 Points Per Game
12.4 Rebounds Per Game
11.0 Assists Per Game
62% Field Goal Percentage
42% Three-Point Percentage

If these numbers hold, Jokić will join Oscar Robertson as the only player in NBA history to average at least 29 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists in a single season.

The Greatest Passing Big Man Ever

The debate over the greatest passing center is effectively over. Jokić recently eclipsed several milestones that cement his status:

Chasing Kareem: He now trails only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most career assists by a center, despite having played nearly 800 fewer games.
The 30-Minute Masterpiece: Against the Sacramento Kings, Jokić became the first player in history to record 36+ points, 12+ rebounds, and 8+ assists in 30 or fewer minutes while shooting 80% or better from the field.

“He’s the best player alive,” said Nuggets assistant coach David Adelman. “It’s just fun to watch him play.”

III. The Murray All-Star Campaign and the “New” Depth

For years, the critique of the Nuggets was their reliance on Jokić to do everything. This season, that narrative has been incinerated.

Jamal Murray is playing the best basketball of his career, finally looking like the perennial All-Star Denver has always known him to be. Murray’s season has been highlighted by a 52-point explosion against the Indiana Pacers and a clutch 35-point performance against the Rockets.

However, the real story is the “others”:

Spencer Jones: The undrafted two-way player has become a revelation, providing elite spacing and defensive grit.
Tim Hardaway Jr.: The veteran has embraced his role as a microwave scorer, recently drilling seven three-pointers in a win over Phoenix.
Cam Johnson: Finally healthy and finding his rhythm, Johnson provides the high-IQ wing play that perfectly complements Jokić’s vision.

IV. The Houston Thriller: A Tale of Two Centers

The recent victory over the Houston Rockets served as a microcosm of Denver’s season. The Rockets arrived with the NBA’s second-best defense and a rising star in Alperen Şengün.

The game made history as the first time two opposing centers recorded 30-point triple-doubles in the same contest. Şengün was spectacular, but Jokić was inevitable, finishing with 39 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Closing Without the King

The most impressive part of the win wasn’t Jokić’s stat line—it was what happened when he fouled out in overtime. For the first time in recent memory, the Nuggets didn’t crumble without their leader. Jamal Murray took over the scoring duties, and the supporting cast, led by Spencer Jones, locked down defensively to secure the win.

This ability to win “non-Jokić minutes” in high-pressure situations is the biggest difference between this year’s squad and the one that fell short in the playoffs last season.

V. Concerns: The Defensive Dip and the Injury Report

Despite the historic offense, the Nuggets are not without flaws. The primary concern in Denver is health.

The team has been playing without two of its most important defensive anchors:

Aaron Gordon: Sidelined with a grade-two hamstring strain.
Christian Brown: Out with a significant ankle sprain.

Since these two went down, Denver’s defensive rating has plummeted to the bottom of the league. While Payton Watson has stepped up admirably—including a standout defensive performance against Kevin Durant—the “wear and tear” on Jokić is a growing concern.

Jokić is currently averaging nearly 35 minutes per game. With Gordon and Brown out until late December or beyond, the Nuggets must find a way to maintain their winning streak without burning out their superstar before the spring.

VI. The Verdict: Are the Nuggets the Team to Beat?

As we cross the first quarter of the season, the Denver Nuggets have proven they possess the highest ceiling in the NBA. They have built a scoring machine that is “ruthlessly efficient” and, for the first time, possesses the depth to survive injuries to key starters.

The rivalry with the young, hungry Oklahoma City Thunder will likely define the Western Conference this year. But with a healthy Jamal Murray and a version of Nikola Jokić that is somehow better than his previous MVP iterations, the Nuggets aren’t just looking for a top seed—they are looking to reclaim their throne.

The Question for Fans: The Nuggets have the historic offense, but the Thunder have the health and the defense. Are the Nuggets the legitimate favorites to come out of the West?