DENVER (KDVR) — The Denver Nuggets are set to begin the 2024-25 NBA season on Thursday at 8 p.m. at residence in opposition to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder. The sport might be broadcast nationally on TNT and also will be obtainable on the TNT and NBA apps.

Two of the favorites to raise the Larry O’Brien trophy in June, these groups will come at one another with full drive as they attempt to set up the pecking order within the super-competitive Western Convention. The Thunder completed because the No. 1 seed final season and the Nuggets are just one yr faraway from their time as champions. Even in recreation one of many season, there may be a lot to show for these two groups.

Reigning NBA MVP and Olympic medalist, Nikola Jokic will lead the pack and try to set the precedent for the remainder of the season. Joined by his normal core of Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon, it’s championship or bust for this crew.

Loads of new faces, together with former MVP Russell Westbrook, younger weapons vying to make their mark within the league and skilled vets able to regular the ship will all must play an element in taking this crew to the height.

FOX31’s Nate Belt spoke to followers who attended the season opener, a few of whom had traveled from out of state to attend the sport.

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world. We’re big-time Nuggets followers,” One fan instructed Belt. “I’m truly from Las Vegas, obtained 1 / 4 season ticket, so I had to ensure, you recognize, to come back out for opening night time.”

Some followers stated they’re excited to see what Westbrook can do to carry the Nuggets again to the highest of the league.

“I’m excited for Russ, I believe he’s going to mesh properly,” a fan instructed Belt.

With a brand new roster from the one which introduced the final word prize residence in 2023, analysts and bookies have cooled their expectations for this Nuggets crew. Contained in the locker room, the chatter is way totally different, this crew totally backs itself to get on the hardwood and show they’re one of the best of one of the best.

ESPN has the Thunder listed because the second favourite to win the NBA Championship with odds of +650, whereas the Nuggets are tied for sixth at +1000 odds.

Issues to know earlier than the Nuggets’ season opener

Nikola Jokic is actually good at basketball

This can be the league’s worst-kept secret, however boy oh boy do the Nuggets have a very good participant of their books.

After a irritating playoff exit in opposition to the Minnesota Timberwolves and a summer season of redemption nearly knocking out the juggernaut USA Males’s Basketball Workforce within the Olympics earlier than ending as a medalist himself, Jokic could have a chip on his shoulder this season.

Jokic, because it stands, is a six-time NBA All-Star, six-time All-NBA together with four-time First Workforce All-NBA, three-time NBA MVP, NBA Finals MVP, NBA champion, Olympic medalist, has a ridiculous quantity of data, and for all of the stats nerds on the market, has the best PER ranking in NBA historical past, that means he’s essentially the most environment friendly basketball participant to ever exist at this level within the sport.

Prone to come out with a vengeance, different groups needs to be terrified of this yr’s model of Jokic. If he doesn’t fall sufferer to voter fatigue, Jokic has an excellent probability of changing into the sixth participant in historical past to have at the very least 4 NBA MVPs.

New look Nuggets

There are many storylines to trace with the Nuggets this yr. New items have been added and subtracted, narratives have hooked up themselves to gamers and the crew must reply to a failed championship protection.

One participant to be careful for this season is the “Blue Arrow,” Jamal Murray. Murray had arguably one of the best common season of his profession in 2023 however has by some means developed a fame for underperforming.

After struggling and enjoying by accidents within the playoffs, he was unable to duplicate his regular-season type. He obtained lots of criticism for his play on the Olympics and can look to place a messy summer season behind him as he heads into the season totally wholesome.

The remainder of the beginning 5 have undergone noticeable adjustments over the offseason. Porter Jr. reportedly added 25 kilos of muscle and has appeared essentially the most fluid he has been in his profession through the preseason, after his main again surgical procedure a few years in the past.

Gordon is sporting a brand new quantity in honor of his brother and has acknowledged he’ll do no matter it takes to win a hoop this yr. The void left by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s departure is being stuffed by serial winner Christian Braun who has been awarded a spot within the beginning 5 for the primary time in his NBA profession.

Free agent signing and former MVP, Westbrook, will anchor and lead the second unit whereas coach Michael Malone will proceed to tweak the line-up till he finds one of the best match. Julian Strawther lit up the preseason and led the crew in scoring on scorching taking pictures splits which has cemented his place as an authorized bucket-getter off the bench.

Dario Šarić was a coveted free agent signing however outdoors of these three, it appears like the remainder of the spots are up for grabs. The Nuggets function loads of thrilling younger prospects who will duke it out and inject some power into the crew.

Expectations

Each sports activities fan thinks, or at the very least hopes, that their crew will win the grand prize on the finish of the season. Sadly, there is just one champion yearly, leaving many a fan and crew disenchanted.

Nothing is assured in sports activities, and lots of exhausting work, expertise and most significantly luck is required to win. This Nuggets crew has all the suitable items to go for a run and take all of it.

They’re constantly ranked as a high contender by sports activities analysts from quite a lot of sources. They’ve arguably one of the best participant on this planet, and he’s backed by a gifted core of teammates outdated and new who’re prepared to sacrifice blood, sweat and tears to succeed in their finish purpose.

Most significantly, they’ve completed this earlier than. Groups who win all of it develop “championship DNA,” they’ve seen nearly each state of affairs you possibly can throw at them and have handled it time and time once more.

At 8 p.m. on Thursday night time, Nuggets basketball is again. They kick off the season in opposition to a Thunder crew that’s anticipated to be a convention, division and title rival. A battle inside the battle will happen with MVP favorites Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dealing with one another.

A brand new season of enjoyable, drama, nervousness and hopefully not an excessive amount of ache has arrived. Sport one in all 82 begins at residence in Ball Enviornment and can hopefully be the start line of a long term to a hoop.