DENVER — The Denver Nuggets have found ways to stay relevant in a top-heavy Western Conference. They have done so despite missing starters for most of the season. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray have driven that resilience. Jokic’s injury on Monday night now means the team will be without its MVP candidate for multiple weeks. The question is simple. Who steps up for the Nuggets in Jokic’s absence?
Who Steps Up As Nuggets Survive Nikola Jokic’s Absence
Injuries Test Denver’s Depth
Denver sits third in the West with a 22–10 record. That mark masks an injury-ravaged situation. The Nuggets have played without two starters for over a month. Christian Braun and Aaron Gordon remain sidelined. Jokic’s injury adds to a season that has already tested Denver’s depth and patience.
Braun has been out since mid-November with a left ankle sprain. The team announced a six-week recovery timeline. Gordon followed a week later. He suffered a Grade 2 right hamstring strain. The Nuggets plan to reevaluate him in four to six weeks. There is hope both return late in a brutal seven-game road trip. Cameron Johnson remains out until mid-January with a right knee injury. Denver will be without four starters for at least the next few games. Here are three players expected to step up for the Nuggets:
Jamal Murray Takes the Lead
Murray has played excellent basketball all season. Alongside Jokic, he has carried Denver through its injury-ravaged stretch. Murray averages 25 points, seven assists, four rebounds, and one steal in 35 minutes.
Murray has built the strongest All-Star case of his career. He looks like a lock for selection. The Nuggets will lean on him more during this stretch. That responsibility should only strengthen his candidacy. No player can absorb Jokic’s full burden. Still, most of the playmaking responsibility will fall on Murray’s shoulders.
Jonas Valanciunas Steps Into the Spotlight
Jonas Valanciunas has delivered exactly what Denver hoped for after acquiring him in the summer. The 14-year veteran averages eight points and four rebounds in just 13 minutes.
The Lithuanian center will move into the starting lineup. He will help Denver weather this storm. His per-36 numbers support the fit. Valanciunas averages nearly 23 points and over 12 rebounds in that sample. No one can replace Jokic’s impact. Still, Valanciunas offers the closest structural alternative. The Nuggets can run many of Jokic’s post-up actions through him.
Bruce Brown Anchors the Second Unit
Bruce Brown, a key member of Denver’s 2022–23 title team, has delivered value off the bench since returning. He averages over seven points, four rebounds, two assists, and one steal in 25 minutes.
Brown owns the sixth-highest assist rate on the roster. During this stretch, that number will rank third. He primarily plays as a swingman. Brown has also shown the ability to run an offense in spots. He did so during his first stint in Denver. The Nuggets will task him with leading the second unit. He should excel in that role.
A Test by Design
This stretch carries intrigue beyond survival. Denver will see the ultimate payoff from an offseason move built for moments like this.
Credit: © Sam Navarro-Imagn Images