What a difference a 50-point Murray game makes to start a four-game road trip. Going into Indiana with every starter save Cam being either out or on the injury report, it looked like the Nuggets could be in for a Jokmas Eve slide. Jamal had other ideas, though, as he went NBA Jam from the three-point line and set the team up for a clean sweep if they can clip the Trae-less Hawks tonight in Atlanta.

While the defense has been a continual concern since the injuries hit, what the Nuggets are doing on offense right now shouldn’t be overlooked. In addition to Jokic and Murray somehow having their best seasons ever, as a team the Nuggets are on pace to be the Greatest Offense All-Time (GOAT). Kirk Goldsberry noted this about the Nuggets in a recent piece on The Ringer:

We have tracked the detailed shooting efficiencies of 390 unique NBA teams in the player-tracking era (since 2013-14). Of that massive group, the 2025-26 Nuggets currently rank ninth in 3-point shooting efficiency and second in 2-point shooting efficiency. 

This generational combination of inside and outside scoring efficiency has the Nuggets leading the NBA in points per game with 125.1 and field-goal percentage (51.2%). They’re also top five in nearly every other offensive category in a year where the NBA is seeing historically great offense.

So let’s appreciate the greatness we’re witnessing in Atlanta tonight and throughout the rest of the season even as we curse the blow-bys, biding our time until the defense gets back into form.

Dec 3, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

The Basics

Who: Denver Nuggets (15-6) vs Atlanta Hawks (13-10)

When: 5:30 PM MT

Where: State Farm Arena, ATL

How to watch/listen: Altitude/ + / Radio /

Rival Blog: Peachtree Hoops

Injury Report: Spencer Jones – questionable (knee); Christian Braun – out (foot); Aaron Gordon – out (hamstring); Julian Strawther – out (back)

Hawks: Jalen Johnson – questionable (calf); Kristaps Porzingis- questionable (illness); Trae Young – out (knee); Jacob Toppin – out (shoulder)

The Three Things

The thing to watch for: Can Murray continue to cook?

The consistent knock on Jamal since The Bubble, at least, has been his inconsistency. We know he’s capable of being a top-tier scorer and playmaker when he’s focused (and in shape), but rarely have we seen him perform at an elite level night-in and night-out during the regular season. Things may finally have changed this season.

Jamal Murray this season:

24.7 PPG (career-high)
6.6 APG (career-high)
4.6 RPG (career-high)
3.3 3PG (career-high)
50.3% FG (career-high)
45.2% 3PT (career-high)

Season-high 52 PTS on 10-11 3PT in win vs. Pacers. pic.twitter.com/gBqR7tnVb3

— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) December 4, 2025

Coming off a 50-point banger—this time on 10/11 from three in addition to every other shot from his bottomless bag—Murray needs to bottle that momentum since the Nuggets don’t seem interested (or capable) of playing winning defense until they get Aaron Gordon back. It’s an ideal time for Blue Arrow 2.0 to solidify his career year with an explosive run of offensive greatness, which will keep the Nuggets in sight of OKC and get him the All-star recognition he deserves.

The thing to remember: Jalen Johnson is a real one

Trae Young is out, but the Hawks still have a dangerously talented roster. In addition to DPOY candidate Dyson Daniels at guard and the 7-ft distance shooter Kristaps Porziņģis likely going tonight, Jalen Johnson has emerged as a legit star in the NBA. The dude is putting up near MVP-caliber offensive numbers while being a key defensive contributor.

Onyeka Okongwu has also been great this year, averaging 16/7.4 while shooting 36% from 3 as a 6’10 rim protector who’s getting over a block per game. Atlanta can bring it—even without their dynamic lil PG—so the Nuggets will need elite performances from Jokic and Murray again plus significant offensive contributions from at least one other role player to continue what could be a 4-0 road trip with games against the Hornets and Kings following.

The thing to bet: Over total points (evergreen until AG and Braun are back)

The Nuggets are on pace to have the greatest offense of all-time, and they are also showing no ability whatsoever to slow down even battered bottom-dwellers like the Indiana Pacers. Until further notice, it’s probably advisable to take the over on points in every game until the defense gets solidified.