The Cracked Foundation: Why the Nuggets’ Defense is Crumbling Despite an Elite Offense

The Cracked Foundation: Why the Nuggets’ Defense is Crumbling Despite an Elite Offense

The Denver Nuggets (22-9) are currently a walking paradox. On one hand, they boast what is mathematically the most efficient offense in NBA history, led by a version of Nikola Jokić that is somehow outperforming his three MVP seasons. On the other hand, a shocking, systemic weakness has emerged that threatens to derail their championship aspirations: a total defensive collapse in the absence of their “glue guys.”

While Denver sits third in the Western Conference, their recent 127-126 loss to the Orlando Magic and an overtime thriller against the Timberwolves have exposed a defensive rot that is no longer just a “slump”—it is a season-defining crisis.

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1. The Shocking Stat: A Historic Defensive Slide

The most jarring evidence of Denver’s weakness is the disparity between their offensive and defensive ratings. In December, the Nuggets have often posted the league’s second-best offensive rating while simultaneously hovering near the bottom of the league in defensive efficiency.

• Defensive Rating: During recent stretches without key starters, Denver’s defensive rating plummeted to 124.1, the second-worst in the NBA.

• The “Corner Three” Crisis: Per Cleaning the Glass, opponents are taking a league-high 12% of their shots from the corner against Denver. In a league where the corner three is the most efficient non-rim shot, the Nuggets are effectively rolling out a red carpet for opposing shooters.

2. The “Missing Glue”: Gordon, Braun, and Johnson

The “shocking” nature of this weakness lies in how much Denver’s identity relied on just three players who are now all sidelined. The Nuggets’ defense isn’t failing because of a lack of effort; it’s failing because its three most versatile stoppers are in the training room.

Player	Injury	Impact on Defense
Aaron Gordon	Grade 2 Hamstring Strain	The primary “LeBron/KD stopper” and interior help-defender.
Christian Braun	Sprained Ankle	The point-of-attack pest who kills transition opportunities.
Cameron Johnson	Knee Bone Bruise	The length and “3-and-D” spacing that keeps the rotation fluid.

Without this trio, the Nuggets have been forced to start Tim Hardaway Jr. and give massive minutes to Spencer Jones. While Hardaway provides veteran scoring, he is not a defensive anchor, and the resulting “Swiss cheese” perimeter defense has left Jokić exposed at the rim.

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3. The “Jokić Overload”

Perhaps the most dangerous byproduct of this weakness is the physical toll on Nikola Jokić. With the defense failing, Jokić is being forced to carry an unprecedented load.

He is currently averaging 35.1 minutes per game, but in games where the defense falls apart, that number often spikes. Against Minnesota, he played nearly 40 minutes, tallying a historic 56-point, 16-rebound, 15-assist line just to secure a win. Head coach David Adelman has expressed concern that if the Nuggets don’t “get whole” soon, they risk burning out their superstar before the playoffs even begin.

“We have the world’s greatest player, but we can’t expect him to be a one-man defense every night,” a team source noted. “We’re asking him to be the anchor, the engine, and the navigator all at once.”

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4. The Path Forward: Can the “Wild Cards” Save Them?

With Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun likely out until after the New Year and Cam Johnson sidelined for at least another month, the Nuggets must find internal solutions to patch their defensive holes.

• Peyton Watson’s Ascension: Watson is the only healthy rotation player with “elite” defensive potential. The Nuggets need him to become a consistent lockdown wing rather than just a “highlight” shot-blocker.

• The DaRon Holmes II Factor: As the “high-upside wild card,” Holmes provides the rim protection and mobility that Zeke Nnaji has struggled to maintain.

• A “No-Brainer” Trade? Some analysts suggest the Nuggets cannot wait for health. If a defensive specialist like Alex Caruso or a high-motor wing becomes available, the front office may be forced to sacrifice future picks to protect Jokić’s prime.

The Verdict

The Nuggets’ “shocking weakness” is a lack of defensive continuity. They have built a beautiful offensive machine that can score 140 points on any given night, but they have lost the “teeth” that made them champions in 2023. Until Gordon and Braun return to close out those corner shooters, every game will remain a high-stakes shootout.