The Denver Nuggets have entered the 2026 NBA playoffs at full strength, a stark contrast to their injury-plagued regular season. Starters Nikola Jokić, Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun, and Cameron Johnson are all back after missing significant time. Their sudden health makes them a vastly different and more dangerous team as the postseason begins.
This resurgence comes at a critical moment in a loaded Western Conference bracket. The Nuggets' core, which has proven championship pedigree, is now intact and ready to challenge the conference's elite. Their return shifts the competitive landscape, forcing other contenders to reassess the threat from Denver.