Plus-Minus -24! Even Jokic Struggles to Lift the Nuggets in Season Opener

In a much-anticipated season opener, the Denver Nuggets stumbled out of the gate with an 87-102 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, marking an unexpectedly rocky debut for new signee Russell Westbrook. The game exposed challenges for Denver’s depth and continuity, despite the reliable brilliance of two-time MVP Nikola Jokic.

Westbrook’s performance, although showcasing glimpses of his passing prowess, was overshadowed by inefficient shooting, defensive lapses, and costly turnovers. Substituted in off the bench, Westbrook logged 21 minutes, ending the game with a stat line that read 6 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks, and a single steal. His shooting woes were striking: he went 2-of-10 from the field, 1-of-6 from three, and missed three of his four free throws.

While there were bright spots, such as early assists to Michael Porter Jr. and Jokic, Westbrook’s struggles were accentuated by his first shot attempt—a telling play. Just two minutes in, Jokic found Westbrook wide open at the top of the arc after Thunder defenders sagged off to trap Jokic. Despite the space, Westbrook's shot missed everything, not even touching the rim, which set the tone for Thunder’s defensive strategy: they dared him to shoot, backing off on his jumpers while collapsing into the paint when he drove. Westbrook’s 6 attempts from beyond the arc, tying his single-game high from last season, underscored a self-assuredness that ultimately led to frustration as he connected on only one of them.

Westbrook’s issues went beyond scoring. His aggressive drives often culminated in turnovers rather than points, creating fast-break opportunities for the Thunder. In one instance, his ill-fated drive amid defenders Alex Caruso, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Chet Holmgren led directly to an Oklahoma City bucket. Worse yet, he struggled to finish around the rim, connecting on just one of his four attempts in the restricted area, with three of his shots blocked. By the game’s end, Westbrook’s plus-minus sat at a league-low -24.

Coach Michael Malone gave Westbrook ample freedom, with Denver hoping that his skill set could provide a boost to the second unit and alleviate some of the offensive load on Jokic and Jamal Murray. Westbrook’s 2.5 minutes of possession time trailed only behind Murray and Jokic, and his usage rate of 25% exceeded even the two stars’ rates. Unfortunately, his inefficiency only hampered the team’s flow, with Denver managing a paltry 62.2 points per 100 possessions during his minutes on the court. As the final buzzer sounded, it was clear that the Nuggets’ second unit struggled to keep up.

The preseason had shown promise for Westbrook, as he averaged 11.3 points on 55.6% shooting from three over three games, suggesting a renewed touch from deep. But the season opener’s returns were a stark contrast, with Westbrook’s confidence perhaps buoyed by those preseason numbers leading to an over-reliance on his outside shot. Six three-point attempts in one game was far from typical for him, and it left the Nuggets without a reliable finisher in key moments.

The Thunder’s defensive strategy against Westbrook echoed a broader issue for the Nuggets’ roster. With Murray, Jokic, Porter, and Aaron Gordon as the only proven scorers, Denver’s fifth starter, Christian Braun, and a thin bench offered little relief. Braun, who showed flashes during last season’s playoffs, is still acclimating to a larger role and managed just 5.1 points per game in the playoffs last year. Behind Braun, the bench featured Westbrook, Julian Strawther, Dario Saric, Peyton Watson, and a mix of lesser-known players—Hunter Tyson, Tre Alexander, Jalen Pickett, Vlatko Cancar, and Zeke Nnaji—whose contributions are far from consistent. This lack of depth proved significant as Denver managed just 87 points in the opener, the lowest among all 30 teams' season debuts. By comparison, the Miami Heat, who scored the second-fewest points, still managed 97, and every other team topped the 100-point mark. Denver’s second-half scoring was a mere 36 points, an anomaly in today’s high-paced game.

For Jokic, the night was as impressive individually as it was frustrating collectively. The Serbian center continued his habit of piling up numbers, finishing with a 16-point, 12-rebound, 13-assist triple-double. Yet, his support system was lacking. With the Thunder able to exploit the Nuggets’ lack of outside shooting by sagging off Westbrook, Jokic faced increased defensive pressure. His field goal percentage took a hit as he battled double teams, and even his renowned playmaking struggled to compensate for Denver’s shallow rotation.

The offseason had already presented challenges for Denver. Losing critical role players Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Reggie Jackson left the team scrambling to reinforce its depth. In light of these departures, Denver saw potential in Westbrook to handle secondary playmaking duties and inject speed into the second unit. And while he offers glimpses of such skills, the Thunder’s defensive approach highlighted the gap between Denver’s stars and the rest of the roster.

As the Nuggets regroup, it’s worth noting that Denver’s title ambitions are no less grounded in the individual brilliance of Jokic, but they now face a steeper climb in a Western Conference where rivals have grown stronger. With teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, and Golden State Warriors all retooling, the Nuggets can’t afford inefficiencies from anyone, let alone someone in a key rotational role. Westbrook, as the team’s primary backup, must find ways to contribute more effectively, especially considering the limitations on Denver’s budget and roster flexibility.

In summary, the Nuggets’ opening-night issues extended well beyond Westbrook’s off game. The team’s lack of depth is concerning, and the Western Conference’s arms race has raised the stakes. While Jokic remains one of the NBA’s premier talents, his supporting cast will need to step up. Denver’s front office might need to reconsider its approach to the bench if it hopes to keep pace with the conference’s elite teams and position the Nuggets for another title run.