MINNEAPOLIS — The Denver Nuggets’ early playoff exit has brought a creeping realization into sharper focus. Since winning the 2023 NBA Finals, the Nuggets haven’t come close to returning to that stage. In 2024, they lost in the Western Conference Semifinals to the Minnesota Timberwolves. In 2025, it was another second-round exit, this time to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Now in 2026, the Nuggets have been bounced in the first round by a depleted Timberwolves team. That’s three straight years of disappointing exits for a team many, myself included, believed would at least make it back to the Western Conference Finals once.
Nuggets Championship Run Feels Further Away After Another Disappointment
A Championship Run Worth Context
During their 2022–23 championship run, the Nuggets handled business against whoever was placed in front of them. They went 16–4 in the postseason, beating Minnesota (41–41), Phoenix (45–37), Lakers (43–39), and Miami (44–38). Denver entered that run as the No. 1 seed with a 53–29 record, and they looked every bit the part.
But context matters, and it’s impossible to ignore the level of competition they faced. Tim Bontemps of ESPN said it best back in 2024: “This is not to denigrate the run the Denver Nuggets had last year to the championship… However, they played four teams in the playoffs that — by record — would not have qualified for the playoffs this year.”
For perspective, the worst records for playoff teams in the following season were the Lakers at 47–35 in the West and Miami at 46–36 in the East. Every team Denver faced during their title run fell below that threshold.
One-Year Powerhouse or Missed Dynasty?
Personally, I still believe the Nuggets were the best team in 2023. You can only beat who’s in front of you, and they did so convincingly. That 16–4 run wasn’t a fluke in terms of execution. The issue is what it represented.
The Western Conference was unusually weak that year, and Denver took full advantage. Fair play to them. Getting to the apex of the mountain is hard enough, and they cashed in when the opportunity presented itself. But that same dominant run may have deceived many into thinking a dynasty was forming, when in reality, it was a one-year powerhouse.
Questions That Can’t Be Ignored
What’s more concerning now is where the Nuggets go from here. Jamal Murray, who has built a reputation as a playoff riser, struggled badly against Jaden McDaniels, shooting just 35% from the field. It raises a fair question: is Nikola Jokic’s second-in-command good enough at this level?
Beyond that, the depth looks shaky. Too many players underperformed in this series for it to be brushed aside as a one-off. Wholesale changes have to be considered. Aaron Gordon’s health is another priority concern going forward. His importance to everything Denver does is obvious, but this run showed just how thin the margin for error has become.
Credit:© Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
