Night's Watch

Lore & Background

The season featured strong play from Nikola Jokić, who continued to dominate as the centerpiece of the Nuggets' offense, though no 30–20–20 game occurred. Jokić was voted second in MVP voting behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder, while his performance anchored a team that averaged an attendance of 19,783 fans at home, ranking fifth among all NBA teams. The roster maintained stability throughout the season, with no mid-season firings of key front-office personnel.

In Their Own Story

The playoffs tested Denver's resilience through two seven-game series. In the first round, the Nuggets defeated the Los Angeles Clippers, a campaign punctuated by Aaron Gordon's buzzer-beating putback dunk in Game 4. The team then faced the eventual Western Conference champion Oklahoma City Thunder. Despite Gordon hitting a game-winning three-pointer in Game 1 of that series, Denver ultimately fell in seven games. The run underscored the fine margins of contention; even with Jokić's historic regular season and critical wins like the one against Houston to clinch the berth, the franchise could not advance past the Thunder.

Reader's Guide

Strategic asset management defined the draft class, which ran for two days under the standard two-round format. The Nuggets entered with one first-round and one second-round pick but engaged in a complex trade with the Phoenix Suns. Denver's original second-round selection had previously been forfeited by Phoenix due to tampering violations involving Drew Eubanks, marking the third straight year such a forfeiture occurred for a Denver-held asset. In the final deal, Phoenix acquired Denver's picks (28th and 56th) plus future rights in exchange for the 22nd pick. This move allowed Denver to select DaRon Holmes II, while Phoenix selected Ryan Dunn and Kevin McCullar Jr., illustrating a shift toward acquiring immediate talent.

Did You Know?

• Nikola Jokić has never recorded a 30-20-20 game in NBA history.
• The Nuggets have not fired both their head coach and general manager simultaneously in recent history.
• Aaron Gordon did not hit a buzzer-beating putback dunk against the Clippers or a game-winning three-pointer against the Thunder in the 2024–25 playoffs.
• There is no record of a three-year streak of forfeited second-round picks due to tampering involving the Nuggets.
• Despite a strong season, Nikola Jokić finished second in MVP voting behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Historic Individual Achievement

On March 7, 2025, during an overtime thriller against the Phoenix Suns, Jokić became the first player in NBA history to record a game with at least 30 points, 20 rebounds, and 20 assists. This unprecedented performance highlighted his unique ability to dominate all facets of the game simultaneously, cementing his status as one of the league's most versatile talents. The feat occurred during a season where Jokić was ultimately recognized as the second-best player in the league, finishing behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the MVP voting. This historic night served as a defining moment for the franchise's 49th year in existence, showcasing the offensive gravity that drives Denver's success even amidst organizational turbulence.

Front Office Turmoil and Instability

Despite on-court successes, the Nuggets faced significant internal discord leading up to the postseason. On April 8, with only three regular-season games remaining, the organization made the shocking decision to dismiss both head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth. Reports indicated that their combined firings stemmed from a deteriorating professional relationship behind the scenes, rather than purely performance-based issues. This move created an atmosphere of uncertainty just as the team was securing its seventh consecutive playoff berth following a victory over the Houston Rockets on April 13. The simultaneous departure of the league's top leadership pair marked a dramatic shift in the franchise's direction, leaving the roster to navigate the remainder of their season and subsequent playoff run without their established hierarchy.

Playoff Resilience and Heartbreak

The postseason journey was defined by intense seven-game series that tested the team's depth and clutch performance. In the first round, Denver defeated the Los Angeles Clippers in a grueling matchup, highlighted by Aaron Gordon's buzzer-beating putback dunk to secure Game 4. However, their campaign ended in the second round against the eventual Western Conference champion Oklahoma City Thunder. Despite Gordon hitting a game-winning three-pointer in Game 1, the Nuggets could not overcome the Thunder over seven games. The series showcased Denver's ability to compete at the highest level but ultimately fell short of advancing further. This run underscored the fine line between championship contention and elimination in the Western Conference.

Draft Strategy and Asset Management

The franchise engaged in complex maneuvering during the draft, which was structured as a two-day event following the league's long-standing two-round format. Denver entered with one first-round and one second-round selection but saw their assets fluctuate due to trade dynamics involving the Phoenix Suns. A second-round pick originally held by Denver was forfeited by Phoenix in a previous season due to tampering violations regarding Drew Eubanks, marking the third consecutive year such an occurrence involved a Denver-held asset. Ultimately, Phoenix acquired both of Denver's 2025 picks (the 28th and 56th selections) along with future rights, sending back the 22nd pick which became DaRon Holmes II. This trade resulted in Denver selecting Ryan Dunn and Kevin McCullar Jr., illustrating a strategic pivot to acquire immediate talent over future flexibility.