Nuggets 2024-25 Schedule: Top Games, Championship Odds and Record Predictions

After winning the title in 2023 but facing a Western Conference Semifinal exit last season, the Denver Nuggets are hoping to bounce back while their championship window is still open.

It was a somewhat quiet offseason for the Nuggets that saw them lose a key role player in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who departed for the Orlando Magic in free agency. Caldwell-Pope was a major factor in Denver's 2023 title run, and it can only hope his exit doesn't prove too costly.

But the Nuggets did bring in a key veteran in Russell Westbrook, who is looking to win his first championship after his tenure with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Fresh off his third MVP season, Nikola Jokić will look to pick up where he left off and have another big year, while his wingman Jamal Murray will hope to make another leap and perhaps earn his first All-Star bid.

Here's a look at the Nuggets' schedule, some key games and an outlook on how the season could unfold.

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2024-25 Nuggets Schedule Details

Season Opener: vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, Oct. 24, 10 p.m. ET

Championship Odds: +900 (bet $100 to win $900), per FanDuel.

Full Schedule: The full schedule is available on NBA.com.

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Top Matchups

Minnesota Timberwolves

After losing to the Timberwolves in seven games in last season's Western Conference Semifinals, the Nuggets are hoping to get a few big wins over Minnesota this year.

Both teams are likely going to be among the best squads in the West this season, so this matchup should have lots of hype around it. Fans got seven exciting games between Denver and Minnesota in the postseason and while the regular season matchups won't have the same intensity, both teams will be looking to assert themselves over the other.

Another factor at play is the importance of head-to-head wins at the end of the season. Last year, both the Nuggets and Timberwolves found themselves atop the Western Conference standings, and seeding for the playoffs came down to just a few games. It wouldn't be a surprise to see something similar happen this year.

Denver and Minnesota have become familiar playoff opponents, facing off against each other the last two years, so this matchup will give them a chance to scout each other out before the postseason.

Los Angeles Lakers

The matchup between the Nuggets and Lakers has become a fun rivalry over the past few seasons.

It's safe to say Denver has owned Los Angeles, sweeping the Lakers in the 2023 conference finals and eliminating them in just five games in the first round last year. But for a player like LeBron James, that's only motivation.

James, Anthony Davis and the rest of the Lakers squad will come into this matchup fired up and looking to prove that they can contend with the Nuggets despite what the last two seasons have shown us.

Recent history proves that James' quest for another title likely will have to go through Denver, and that will make this matchup one to watch.

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Season Forecast

The Nuggets were one of the scariest teams in the league last year after coming off a championship, but they're not quite as threatening this season after proving they are mortal in the 2023-24 campaign.

That's not to say Denver isn't among the best teams in the NBA—it certainly still is. But the Nuggets will need to figure out what they need to do to make a run at the title now that the rest of the league has caught up to them.

Much of their success will depend on how big of a leap Murray takes this season. The 27-year-old had a great year, putting up 21.2 points and 6.5 assists per game last season, and he seems due to make a jump.

He's on the brink of being an All-Star, and if he can pass the threshold to become one of the league's best players, he and Jokić will be one of the best duos in the game.

As for Jokić, all Denver can ask of him is to continue what he has been doing. He's been one of—if not the best player in the league over the past three seasons and is the reason why the Nuggets have found so much success recently.

From there, the Nuggets will hope to get the most out of a 35-year-old Westbrook. Last year with the Clippers, Westbrook played a bench role and had some success, but if he could put together a vintage season it could help him win his first title.

Denver is coming off a second straight 50+ win season, and it should do it again this year. From there, the Nuggets will hope to have a better postseason than last year.

Record Prediction: 51-31