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DENVER (AP)— Michael Malone adopted a practical perspective regarding his team’s ongoing nine-game winning streak.
“It’s preferable to the alternative,” the coach of the Denver Nuggets noted.
It’s hard to dispute that, especially as Malone approaches a significant milestone in his coaching career.
Despite being the franchise’s all-time win leader and securing an NBA championship in 2023 during his ten seasons in Denver, Malone’s Nikola Jokic-led teams have yet to achieve a ten-game winning streak. Standing in their way is LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and the Los Angeles Lakers this Saturday night (8:30 ET, ABC). The Nuggets have not suffered a home defeat to the Lakers since April 10, 2022.
Waking up second seed in the West 😮💨pic.twitter.com/cxZgbj93XS
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) February 21, 2025
“It’s crucial to accumulate victories. That’s the primary focus,” Malone stated following a 129-115 victory against Charlotte on Thursday. “Whether our performance was superb or not, the important thing is we came away with the win. However, there’s plenty that needs improvement.”
If Denver wins on Saturday, it would mark only the seventh occasion in franchise history that they have achieved a ten-game win streak, with the record standing at 15, set by the 2012-13 Nuggets under coach George Karl.
This winning streak emerged following a three-game slump, starting with a tight 137-134 victory against the 76ers in Philadelphia on January 31. It has carried through the All-Star break, aided by a less-than-convincing win over a Hornets team missing LaMelo Ball. Remarkably, not a single one of the nine consecutive victories has come against a team presently ranked in the top six of their conference.
Taking it one game at a timepic.twitter.com/Z0RWKgVWyA
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) February 21, 2025
Jokic, a three-time NBA MVP enjoying one of his best seasons, averaging 29.7 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists, remarked, “The schedule worked in our favor.”
Despite combating injuries, they welcomed back Russell Westbrook (hamstring), Michael Porter Jr. (hamstring), and Aaron Gordon (calf) for the game against the Hornets.
Are they discussing the streak frequently?
“Not really,” Gordon clarified. “We mainly focus on playing high-quality basketball and making smart plays.”
“Our aim is to be in top form in April, May, and June, so we’re working hard to make that progress.”
Jamal Murray shared a similar sentiment. He has certainly regained his shooting rhythm, scoring 55 points in a win over Portland before the break and following it up with 34 against the Hornets shortly after.
“It won’t come down to tactics,” Murray stated, with his team sitting second in the Western Conference, trailing Oklahoma City by eight games. “It’s about who’s more prepared and who wants to win more. That’s the crux of it. I appreciate the team’s drive to secure that top seed.”
Jokic recently attempted a career-high 14 three-pointers in the game against Charlotte, with the Nuggets as a whole shooting 43 in total. The Hornets appeared to be inviting Jokic and his teammates to beat them from beyond the arc, and Jokic replied by making six of his attempts, while his teammates combined for 13.
“If I were them, I’d guard me the same way,” Jokic remarked. “That’s just my take.”
Remarkably, he’s hitting a career-best 44.9% from beyond the arc. However, when asked about what adjustments he made to his long-range shooting, he became somewhat elusive: “I’m not divulging that,” he quipped.
After the Hornets game, conversation shifted to the peculiar hue of Jokic’s suit—somewhere between dark apricot, plum, and burgundy—before returning to the topic of Denver’s impressive winning streak.
He shrugged regarding the suit’s color, but on the subject of the streak, he emphasized the value of finishing strong.
“It’s crucial to perform well during this time because it sets the stage for future success,” Jokic observed. “We are eager to improve even further.”
