The Nuggets are the Best Team in the NBA

By far the most exciting basketball game in the NBA this year was on Monday night in Philadelphia. And it's not even up for consideration or debate. Granted, yes, the Spurs knocking off the seemingly invincible OKC Thunder -- with Wemby on limited minutes -- was awesome. And the Charlotte Hornets basically scorching the defending champs this week was another thrilling bit of roundball this year. But Monday night's Nuggets victory over the Philadelphia Seventy-Sixers was, in the words of Jake Shapiro, "A Nuggets win they'll talk about for 20 years."

Rarely does a game in the NBA regular season live on for ages and echo through the fanbase. On Monday night a variety of factors combined into the Denver Nuggets’ most memorable win of the 2025-26 regular season as they took down the Philadelphia 76ers 125-124 in overtime.

Coming off a horrendous loss in Brooklyn on Sunday, the Nuggets took to the road again for a back-to-back and this time without their entire starting five and top two bench players. With only nine mostly little-used players available, the Nuggets took it to former MVP Joel Embiid and his nearly fully healthy star-filled 76ers squad.

It was nothing short of a true barn burner with the Nuggets putting what amounts to the C-Team on the court against a full-strength Philly team that has two Hall of Famers, the likely Rookie of the Year, several potential All Stars, and which was rolling on a win streak. The Nuggets "Young Guns" led by role player Jalen Pickett with 29 points, 7 boards, 7 assists, and going 7-11 from 3-point land, played some of the scrappiest ball I can recall seeing in a game they were destined to lose and lose in a big way.

Yet, these ballers refused to roll over. And potential Coach of the Year David Adleman set them up for success with a game plan designed to simply be competitive -- stack the lane, fight for rebounds, play quick to avoid a stagnant half court against a more experienced team -- just ball like you got nothing to lose. And they didn't lose. Even when the Sixers bullied their way to overtime. The Nuggets key bench player Peyton Watson played like he deserved that big contract extension last summer. But he's not griping -- just watch the clips of P Wat being coached by Nicola Jokic during timeouts. The intensity and focus is nothing short of impressive.

Perhaps the best part of the game that wasn't actually on the court was the raucous enthusiasm of the starters and key bench players, cheering on the team like it was Game 7. The joy and camaraderie on the bench after big plays and during timeouts tells us something quite important -- this is a TEAM. It's a pretty special vibe running through a Nuggets organization that has been decimated by injuries. I mean, seriously. All five starters out, plus the two key bench players, including the back-up center. It's incredible that this team is still winning games.

And, guess what?

The Nuggets did it again two nights later, playing short but with the presence of "must-finally-be-an-All-Star-selection" Jamal Murray, knocking off the solid Boston Celtics. The Nuggets have now won 15 road games this year, often with a half a team. I'm telling you, this team can flat out play. And I mean the entire team.

In a season that has seen the league anoint the Thunder with near legendary status, comparing them to the 2017 Warriors and more, the best team in the NBA is the Denver Nuggets. And it's not really close.