The intent for the Nuggets is to have some extended versatility in Johnson as opposed to what Porter Jr. provides. As a defender, working off-ball offensively, and even an improved playmaker and facilitator as shown last season during a career year in Brooklyn– all in an effort to surround this Nikola Jokic-led group with the right tools for another championship run.

Jamal Murray scored 23 of his 43 points in the third quarter and Nikola Jokic had a triple-double as the Denver Nuggets beat the short-handed Minnesota Timberwolves 127-114.

Following the game, the NBA confirmed Jokic’s latest feat on social media, announcing he became just the fifth player in league history to open a season with back-to-back triple-doubles. He joins Russell Westbrook, Magic Johnson, Jerry Lucas and Oscar Robertson on that exclusive list.

Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon achieved a rare feat with his career performance against the Golden State Warriors.

JJ Barea and Jared Dudley didn’t even suit up for the coaches, who still demolished the Denver media by a score of 114-16.

The Nuggets, along with the rest of the league, have showcased the courts that this year's slate of NBA Cup matchups will be played on; four regular season-turned-tournament games to add some extra stakes in the first half of the season, now heading into its third year of action.

The Phoenix Suns drop to 1-2 after a loss to the Denver Nuggets in the second game of 3-game road trip that continues on Oct. 27 at Utah.

Get to know the 2025-26 team here with a breakdown of the full roster, from Nikola Jokic to Denver’s two-way players.