The Denver Nuggets faced significant spacing issues during their recent loss to the Boston Celtics, raising concerns over their offensive strategy as they progress through the season. The Nuggets, led by star player Nikola Jokić, struggled against a Celtics defense that exploited mismatches favoring double teams. Historically, Jokić thrives on creative passing rather than aiming for a high-scoring game. However, recent games reveal that opposing teams have become increasingly comfortable pressuring him, recognizing that the supporting players in the Nuggets lineup are far from reliable three-point shooters.

This strategic shift led to the Nuggets taking an elevated 41 three-point attempts in a game against the Lakers despite their average attempts being among the lowest in the NBA. Although hitting 39% of those attempts, their low scoring in the paint against tough defenses such as the Celtics poses serious questions about their playoff viability moving forward.

“The Nikola Jokic experience summed up in a screenshot.” View Tweet.

Denver’s championship aspirations now hinge on their ability to make the most of the wide-open shots Jokić creates amid defensive pressure while requiring consistent shooting from players like Gordon. If these shooting woes continue, challenges lie ahead for the Nuggets in both the regular season and playoffs.