It was just another win for the Denver Nuggets to begin what’s looking like a very exciting 2025-26 NBA season.

The Nuggets defeated the Golden State Warriors 129-104 on Friday night, an NBA Cup game that helps Denver get back into the picture of Group C (for those that care). Denver didn’t have to contend with Stephen Curry tonight which of course made a difference in the result.

But the easiness and degree of control the Nuggets showed tonight, in addition to their other home games they’ve played so far, is cause for celebration early in the year.

Nikola Jokic led the way, as he often does, with 26 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists, shooting 12-of-15 from the field and 2-of-3 from three. He didn’t attempt a single free throw in the Twenty Eight minutes he played last night, not quite a season low but fairly close. Jokic matched up against Draymond Green at center, who contested shots well and made a ton of smart defensive rotations.

It just didn’t matter. At all.

Ditto for the Warriors guarding Jamal Murray, who got going from three-point range tonight after struggling the last few games from distance. Murray shot 5-of-7 in a confident manner en route to a nice night of 23 points, eight assists, four rebounds, and three stocks. His engagement and aggressiveness helped get others involved, often drawing two defenders at once and kicking out to an open shooter as a result.

Defeating the Nuggets is really difficult when Jokic and Murray combine to shoot 20-of-27 from the field while putting together 17 assists. They were absolutely locked in, and the Warriors could do little to bother them. They tried pressuring Murray full court, but he handled the press really well despite three turnovers. It was an incredibly efficient effort.

Of course, it wasn’t the Jokic-Murray duo that won the game for Denver. It was a really nice stretch at the 10-minute mark of the second quarter with Murray, Christian Braun, Cam Johnson, Peyton Watson, and Jonas Valanciunas that turned things back around.

“I thought the group that came in when they went on a 10-0 run to start the second quarter, that group was really incredible,” head coach David Adelman emphasized postgame. “They were the reason why we won the game, the 19-3 run.”

The Nuggets can win in many different ways, and that the most important run came without Jokic out there is a testament to the way things flowed.

Not to be outdone, Aaron Gordon had the play of the night, crossing over Buddy Hield on the perimeter before dunking on Quentin Post in poster fashion. An incredible play.

Gordon’s shotmaking and defense were on display tonight. While Jokic and Murray dictated the offense, Gordon was often the beneficiary on the perimeter with 18 points on 3-of-5 from three. It’s amazing that he’s blended being an incredible shooter and incredible dunker so well at this stage of his career.

Beyond those three, it was Jonas Valanciunas to step up as a scorer this time off the bench.

Valanciunas made a couple catch-and-shoot threes, sealed for post position in the lane, grabbed offensive rebounds, and even played some solid defense. With 16 points, six rebounds, and an assist in 16 minutes off the bench, Valanciunas found some extra time in the Nuggets blowout to go to work. Teams often relax when Jokic leaves the floor, but it’s really hard to do so when Valanciunas immediately sets bone crushing screens, posts up backup centers, and maybe hits a three.

“Jamal is such a good player, he is going to draw two defenders,” Valanciunas shared postgame. “He is driving, he is drawing attention, so we’ve got to find the open pocket of an area to present yourself.”

Valanciunas, for his part, has made a positive impression.

“He is a goof ball. It has been really fun. He keeps the energy light,” Murray detailed about Valanciunas. “Forget on the court, I think he is a great dude, the energy in the locker room, he is always joking around.”

It’s just really fun to watch this team right now. They’re pushing the right buttons, executing at a high level, and giving the fans a show at Ball Arena. To start the year, the Nuggets are 5-0 at home and haven’t been particularly challenged so far. That’s a testament to the competition so far but also to how the Nuggets are taking things seriously at the beginning.

At some point, they will get bored with success. At some point, a team will catch them and they will be mad about it. It’s inevitable.

But until that happens, enjoy the show. It’s been really impressive with different contributions from different guys from night to night. That’s what makes this year different to me. Last year, it was about Jokic, Jokic, Jokic, and…what the Nuggets weren’t doing around Jokic to be better.

This year, it’s about the Nuggets again. That’s cool.