Nikola Jokic threw down an alley-oop dunk during the first half of the Nuggets' matchup against the Heat on Monday night.

Explore the dynamics of the Denver Nuggets as they navigate the competitive Western Conference this NBA season.

As many remember, the Nuggets took the Thunder to seven games in the Western Conference semifinals last postseason, being one of just two teams (the Indiana Pacers) to give them a real challenge on their way to a championship. What did the Nuggets do after that playoff loss? Build a better roster.

Davion Mitchell is averaging a career-high 7.3 assists per game this season, and he's handed out at least eight assists in 15 of 30 games. The Heat will need to score plenty of points to keep up with Denver's potent offensive attack, so I'm betting Mitchell gets teammates involved early and often.

Nikola Jokic does quite literally everything. The Nuggets being down three starters doesn't even begin to phase him. See Exhibit A.

The Houston Rockets face the Denver Nuggets in a crucial Western Conference clash on December 15, 2025. Both teams are battling injuries, with Houston missing key wing players and Denver dealing with frontcourt absences.