The Denver Nuggets are a scary team when they’re at their best, and for a quarter, they were at their best on Wednesday night.

The Nuggets were fantastic for all but about four minutes of their 122-88 blowout win over the New Orleans Pelicans, headlined by a 39-11 third quarter onslaught. Denver led just 53-47 after halftime, but the third quarter broke the game wide open and ended any possible comeback opportunity on the spot.

Denver’s demolition of New Orleans was their most complete game of the season — a wire-to-wire domination that featured 40 assists, relentless defense, and a second-half explosion.

“They had a professional approach in the third quarter,” head coach David Adelman stated of Denver’s response to a bad moment in the second quarter. “40 assists is a great number, especially when you shoot 33 from three… just a professional reaction to a really bad four minutes in the second quarter.”

In the final 3:33 of the second quarter when Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray returned to the floor, the Nuggets allowed a 14-2 run that got New Orleans back into striking distance. It wasn’t their best moment, but perhaps it fired up the team during halftime.

Because when the Nuggets exited the locker room before the third quarter, their execution was the best its been so far in this short season.

Much of the attention will go to the offense (and it does appear unstoppable so far despite Denver shooting below average from three-point range). The real story here is the two points Denver allowed for nearly the first eight minutes of the third quarter.

“You’re going to have nights where you play great defense and a team scores 115,” Adelman intoned. “But if your approach is correct, there’s going to be nights where it really shows out like this one.”

88 points is ridiculously low in the modern NBA. It was an incredibly impressive effort, led by the work Aaron Gordon did versus Pelicans power forward Zion Williamson.

“Aaron Gordon did such a great job — Zion is a load, man… There’s only a few human beings walking around that can deal with Zion Williamson, and Aaron’s one of them.”

The Pelicans shot 37.6% from the field and 20.6% from three-point range. They also missed 12 free throws, so 88 points allowed might have overstated just how good Denver was. Still, the Nuggets put in the work, contested shots, and forced mistakes. It was a great showing.

Offensively, Nikola Jokic still did his thing with 21 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists, going 10-of-15 from the field without attempting a free throw. Christian Braun had an efficient 17 points that mostly came from the screening, driving, and cutting actions going toward the basket. Jamal Murray struggled in the first half but hit three third quarter three-pointers and dished out several assists to realign his numbers.

Overall, everyone eats with the Nuggets offensively.

“Whenever you touch the ball on offense — even if you’re just passing it — you’re going to feel important. And you are important, especially on this team,” Jokic declared postgame when asked about Denver’s style of play this season. “Every moment, we need everybody. That’s how good teams are built.”

The Nuggets are building a good team. Cam Johnson’s still coming along as the heir apparent to Michael Porter Jr.’s old role, but even despite that, the Nuggets are absolutely cooking offensively. The starters have been amazing, and the bench has been up to the challenge every night. Things haven’t been perfect with the second unit, but a new bench hero has emerged every time the Nuggets need a spark.

Last night, it was the trio of Peyton Watson, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Jonas Valanciunas who stood out. Watson filled up the box score with five points, five rebounds, five assists, a steal, and three blocks, impacting the game everywhere. He was a +28 in just 23 minutes. Hardaway Jr. got going in the second half as a spacer and continues to hit shots, going for 11 points on 3-of-5 from three-point range. Valanciunas, facing a former team of his, had 10 points, six rebounds, and three assists in 14 minutes. His productivity has been extremely reliable.

Obviously, there are still plenty of questions for the Nuggets to answer throughout the year. Things won’t always go as smoothly as they did last night.

And yet, the Nuggets are showing exactly why they’re thought to be a true title contender this year. The game is easier for the Nuggets starters. The minutes load is easier due to the Nuggets bench. The motivation and happiness is back with a new mix of players and coaches. The vibes are simply great.

How Denver handles strife going forward will be a question one day…but not yet.