It’s a small sample size issue until it happens at the end of every game.
The Denver Nuggets cannot guard at the end of games, and it’s lost them two of their last three in the closing seconds. Before Christmas, it was the second night of a back-to-back against the Dallas Mavericks. On Saturday night, it was the start of Denver’s seven-game road trip against the Orlando Magic.
The Nuggets ultimately lost 127-126 after allowing two free throws to Desmond Bane on a shooting foul with seven seconds to go. Bruce Brown did a good job initially, but his feet were caught up with Bane’s and yielded a shooting foul to one of the best free throw shooters in league history.
Denver had a chance to win the game, but poor execution on an ATO by the Nuggets yielded a subpar shot attempt for Jamal Murray that rimmed out.
It would’ve been nice to see Denver get started with a win at the beginning of this trip. They were leading at the beginning of the fourth quarter, but the bench slipped up again and put the starters in a very uncomfortable spot on short rest. The starters had to battle the entire fourth quarter and did a good job offensively just to stay attached.
Nikola Jokic finished the game with 32 points, 21 rebounds, and 12 assists in his 38 minutes. He was +18 in the game which should’ve been enough for a win.
Another night, another RIDICULOUS showing for Nikola Jokić!
34 PTS 21 REB 12 AST
The 8th 30/20/10 game of his career (2nd-most all-time behind Wilt’s 16) pic.twitter.com/2hzZrCX57Y
— NBA (@NBA) December 28, 2025
Unfortunately, the aforementioned bench slip-up made things difficult. Jonas Valanciunas had a rough game, and the Nuggets struggled to stay attached in the bench minutes without Cam Johnson out there to help stabilize things.
But the bigger story that continues to crop up for Denver is the clutch defense.
The Magic scored 43 points in the fourth quarter. A lot of that came at the free throw line, right or wrong. Anthony Black had a career-high 38 points and somehow became unguardable for most of the game. Desmond Bane got to the free throw line extensively. Tristan da Silva came off the bench and provided scoring size off the move that Denver had no answer for. It wasn’t even Paolo Banchero, who was once again underwhelming and hurting his team in this matchup. Denver just couldn’t stop everyone else.
Anthony Black highlights vs. DEN:
38 PTS* 6 REB 5 AST 14-24 FG 7-11 3P 30 MIN
*marks a career-high pic.twitter.com/LQCvp0bxG3
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) December 28, 2025
On the season, the Nuggets are now 5-8 in clutch games, AKA games that are within five points in the final five minutes. The Nuggets, particularly with Jokic and Murray, have developed a pretty strong reputation for clutch performance. That’s been harder to maintain this year, but not just because Denver’s 119.4 offensive rating in the clutch is merely good, not otherworldly.
No, the biggest issue is Denver’s 138.0 defensive rating is so bad that it makes the Brooklyn Nets and Washington Wizards blush.
Opponents are shooting 51.7% from three-point range and 85.7% from free throw against the Nuggets. That’s absolute hellfire, and it often comes due to a breakdown and a wide open jumper allowed or a drive that Denver’s forced to foul to contest. Denver cannot contest without fouling in late game situations, and they cannot protect the three-point line in many of the same situations because they’re rotating so far to cut off driving lanes.
It was one thing when the Nuggets let Stephen Curry get free for a 30-foot three-pointer and it caused things to spiral. It was another when the Portland Trail Blazers stole a game at the free throw line because the Nuggets were constantly on their heels.
Now, it’s every game. Denver’s had very few “good” defensive performances in clutch moments this year. Sometimes, they force a turnover or get a stop. Often, it’s an unforced error by the opponent. Most of the time, Denver’s just not good enough on defense.
The Nuggets are now 23-9 on the season. They’ve missed out on opportunities to yield a better record because of their inability to execute on both ends of the floor simultaneously. It’s difficult, but the Nuggets expect that of themselves, even with the injuries they’ve suffered.
Not a great start to the road trip. Will the Nuggets correct things in Miami on Monday night?
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