October 23, 2026 at 11:46 PM UTC

Pregame Analysis

Nuggets Look to Fix Their Offense Against a Winless Pelicans Team

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Denver's scoring problems meet a New Orleans team still sorting out its identity.

Both teams arrive in Denver looking for their first win. The Nuggets opened with a 96-84 loss at Oklahoma City, and the 84 points are the main concern. The offense needs to look sharper in the home opener, though the injury report limits their options. Cameron Johnson is a game-time decision with an ankle issue, while Spencer Jones (hamstring) and Julian Strawther (knee) are out. If Johnson can't play, Denver's rotation gets thinner against a team that can score.

New Orleans showed that scoring ability in its 123-120 opening loss to Indiana. Dejounte Murray led the Pelicans with 23 points and 7 assists, and he is the clearest source of production they have shown so far. The Pelicans' attack should have chances, but their defense is the larger question. Jamahl Mosley's first season as head coach is built around defensive effort and buy-in, yet preseason offense looked like last year's while the defense was still developing. Giving up 123 points in the opener suggests that work is unfinished.

The Pelicans' starting group is also unsettled. Mosley kept changing preseason starters, though the projected unit was Murray, Jones, Murphy, Williamson and Missi. A team still searching for its best combinations may struggle to defend consistently for 48 minutes, especially against a Denver offense that should bounce back from a poor night.

I expect the Nuggets to improve enough on offense to take advantage of New Orleans' defensive issues, even with questions about Johnson's availability. Murray and the Pelicans should keep it competitive, but Denver's home setting and the Pelicans' lack of defensive structure should decide it. Prediction: Nuggets 113, Pelicans 107.

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