56+16+8! The Peak Jokic, Being Used to Develop Rookies?

The Denver Nuggets faced off against the Washington Wizards in what should have been a straightforward win, given the Wizards' brutal 16-game losing streak. However, what unfolded was a surprising loss for the reigning NBA champions. The Nuggets were handed a 122-113 defeat, and despite a legendary performance from Nikola Jokic, the team was simply outclassed by the Wizards, who had struggled immensely in the past few weeks.

The Nuggets had the lead briefly at 4-2 in the opening minutes, but from that point on, they were constantly playing catch-up. At one point, they found themselves trailing by as much as 15 points. It was clear from the outset that the Nuggets were in trouble. Though the loss was painful, it was Jokic's performance that stole the spotlight, as he put up a career-high 56 points, 16 rebounds, and 8 assists, doing everything in his power to keep Denver in the game.

In the absence of Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon, Jokic logged an astounding 39 minutes, going 22-of-38 from the field, including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc and 9-of-13 from the free-throw line. In the third quarter alone, he attempted 20 shots and scored 23 points, showing just how dominant he could be when carrying the offensive load. By the end of the third, he had 47 points, yet the Nuggets still found themselves struggling. Jokic briefly sat for 4.5 minutes in the fourth, and during that time, the rest of the team could only muster 2 points, allowing Washington to extend their lead back to 13 points.

However, what made this loss especially painful for Denver was the stark contrast in shooting performances. While Jokic was firing on all cylinders, the rest of the team struggled mightily. The Nuggets shot a dismal 0-of-14 from three-point range from players not named Jokic, with Michael Porter Jr. going 0-for-5, and Bruce Brown missing all of his three attempts. In contrast, the Wizards hit 16-of-41 from deep, an advantage that ultimately proved too much for Denver to overcome.

Jokic’s Unbelievable Numbers: A One-Man Show

Nikola Jokic has been the engine driving Denver's offense all season. Despite the loss, Jokic’s performance reaffirmed his place as one of the best players in the league, if not the best. For the season, Jokic is averaging 31.4 points, 13.6 rebounds, and 10.3 assists per game, ranking top-three in all three categories. His efficiency is mind-boggling, with a shooting line of 56.1% from the field, 50.6% from three-point range, and 80.3% from the free-throw line. His true shooting percentage stands at an absurd 64.7%, and his improved three-point shooting (which had been a point of concern in past seasons) is currently at 38.4%.

The numbers tell the story of a player who is in the midst of one of the most dominant stretches in NBA history. Yet despite all of Jokic’s brilliance, the Nuggets are struggling to put together a team performance that matches his individual excellence. The reality is that Jokic has been forced to shoulder an almost impossible load this season, and the team has been unable to help him enough to consistently win games.

A Team in Decline

What was most apparent in this loss was the stark contrast in the Nuggets’ performance when Jokic is on the floor versus when he is off. With Jokic on the court, the Nuggets boast the league's best offensive rating, net rating, field goal percentage, three-point percentage, and assist-to-turnover ratio. When Jokic is off the floor, the team’s performance completely collapses. In fact, without Jokic, the Nuggets’ offense ranks dead last in the league, while their defense is nearly as bad, ranking 29th in net rating.

To put it in perspective, the Washington Wizards, who were riding their own 16-game losing streak, are outscoring the Nuggets when Jokic isn’t on the floor. The Wizards' offensive rating for the season is 100.9 points per 100 possessions, which places them at the bottom of the league, yet they still managed to outperform Denver without Jokic’s presence. This clearly highlights the complete reliance on Jokic to carry the team, something that’s simply not sustainable for the Nuggets as they look to contend for another championship.

The Problem with the Nuggets’ Roster Construction

While injuries to Murray and Gordon certainly played a role in the loss, this game also highlighted larger issues with the Nuggets' roster construction. After winning the championship last season, the Nuggets have not made significant moves to address the depth concerns that have plagued the team for years. The front office allowed key players like Bruce Brown and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to leave and did not sufficiently replace them with players capable of contributing at a high level.

The team’s bench is thin at best, with players like Zeke Nnaji, Christian Braun, and Peyton Watson expected to step up, but none of them have shown the consistency needed to compete at a championship level. Moreover, the Nuggets’ attempts to develop younger players and build for the future have taken priority over addressing the team’s current needs. This was evident in their offseason moves, where they focused on bringing in rookies and experimenting with their lineup rather than making moves to solidify their championship aspirations.

The departure of key role players from last season’s title run, coupled with the lack of immediate reinforcements, has left the team with a thin roster that struggles to perform when Jokic isn’t on the floor. This leaves Denver in a precarious position, as they continue to rely on Jokic to carry the load while their role players fail to step up.

Management’s Long-Term Strategy vs. Immediate Needs

While the Nuggets’ management may have a long-term vision to build through the draft and develop their younger players, this is a risky strategy when a player of Jokic's caliber is in his prime. Jokic is an all-time talent, a player who is capable of pushing a team to historic heights, and the Nuggets should be doing everything in their power to maximize his prime years.

Instead, the team’s front office has focused on developing rookies, such as Julian Strawther and Jalen Pickett, while relying on aging veterans like DeAndre Jordan, who at 36, no longer provides meaningful contributions on the court. Jokic’s continued heavy minutes—often in the 37-40 minute range—are a result of the team’s lack of reliable depth. Furthermore, the decision to not bring in additional proven veterans to support Jokic is starting to look more like a missed opportunity.

A Championship Window in Peril?

The Nuggets' window to compete for titles is very much tied to Jokic’s prime. He is in the peak of his career and is capable of leading the Nuggets to multiple championships. But this will only be possible if the team builds around him in a way that provides the necessary support.

With Jokic putting up historic numbers, it’s clear that the Nuggets cannot afford to waste any more seasons relying on an underwhelming roster. The franchise needs to make moves to improve the supporting cast around Jokic and ensure that he is not asked to do it all on his own. Otherwise, the team risks squandering one of the most talented players the NBA has ever seen, and potentially, their best chance at another title in the near future.