The Denver Nuggets kicked off their 2024-25 season with a 102-87 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night.
The team struggled offensively, shooting just 35.7% from the field and 18.4% from beyond the arc (7-for-38).
Reigning MVP Nikola Jokic, who logged a 16-point, 13-assist, 12-rebound triple-double, offered a straightforward critique of their shooting. “We don’t shoot the ball very well. We are not a good shooting team, I think, except (Michael Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray). All of us are kind of streaky—not streaky, but just average shooters,” Jokic said. “We have other strengths and can probably be better in different areas on the floor.”
Head coach Michael Malone echoed Jokic’s concerns, noting that shooting had been a worry heading into the season. Malone specifically highlighted the departure of shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who signed with the Orlando Magic in July, as a tough loss.
Last season, Denver ranked fourth in the NBA with a 49.6% field goal percentage and 10th in three-point shooting at 37.4%.
Murray led the team in three-point percentage last year with a 42.5% success rate, followed by KCP at 40.6%.
On Thursday, Murray and Porter Jr. combined for a 5-for-15 performance from beyond the arc, while the rest of the team struggled, shooting just 2-for-23.