The Denver Nuggets are not in a good place right now. In what is arguably the most critical part of the season, the Nuggets have tumbled into a 4-game losing streak following a recent loss to the Indiana Pacers. Because of their losing streak, the Nuggets have now fallen into a multiple-team race for seeding in the Western Conference.

Had the Nuggets actually won these past four games, they would be more comfortably looking at either the second or third seed. However, they now risk falling into a play-in spot if they cannot win out or get some “help” from the other teams in the race with them.

“We've got a few days before we fly to Sacramento. They're fighting for something, Memphis is fighting for something, and who knows what Houston will be fighting for the last game of the season,” Nuggets head coach Michael Malone said after the loss to the Pacers. “We have to get this bad taste out of our mouth, 'cause I hate losing. And I know it's driving me crazy.”

Poor defense continues to be Nuggets' biggest weakness

The Nuggets' defensive woes have been a persistent issue throughout the entire season, and it's becoming increasingly apparent that this could be their downfall come playoff time.

Malone didn't mince words about what he sees as the team's biggest problem.

Article Continues Below
More Denver Nuggets News
Denver Nuggets interim head coach David Adelman in the third quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder during game six of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena.
David Adelman parts ways with several key members of Nuggets’ coaching staffTroy Finnegan ·
Denver Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke (left) and president Josh Kroenke (right) during the championship parade after the Denver Nuggets won the 2023 NBA Finals
Josh Kroenke puts his foot down on potential Nuggets ‘cultural reset’Rachel Strand ·
Denver Nuggets head coach David Adelman points down the court during a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second quarter during game seven of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center.
Nuggets’ David Adelman reveals what needs to change in DenverJackson Stone ·
Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) reacts with forward Jalen Williams (8) in the second half during game four of the western conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center with the Nuggets and Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault in the background
How Nuggets took Thunder to championship levelJosue Pavon ·
Sacramento Kings forward DeMar DeRozan (10) dribbles against the Phoenix Suns during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center.
NBA rumors: Paul Pierce urges Nuggets to pull off DeMar DeRozan tradeJulian Ojeda ·
Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) runs down the court against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second quarter during game seven of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center.
Nuggets’ Russell Westbrook announces surprise offseason surgeryJason Patt ·

“The defense, I've talked about it a ton. That's been the most disappointing part of this year,” Malone admitted. “Just the huge drop-off. You're talking, we didn't go from eighth-best to 12. We didn't go from eight to 15. We've gone from eight to — I don't even know what it is right now.”

Christian Braun, one of the team's better perimeter defenders, took his share of responsibility for the defensive struggles. He also revealed that the team is fully aware they're in danger of falling to the play-in.

“The locker room knows. It’s on me to make sure we're ready before we run out, that we’re ready when we step on the court, and that throughout the game, somebody’s got to be talking to them. And that’s got to be me,” said Braun.

The Nuggets have three games remaining on their regular season schedule. They'll face the Sacramento Kings, the Memphis Grizzlies, and the Houston Rockets, all of which are battling for playoff seeding like the Nuggets. If they want to put together a solid playoff run, they'll need to find a way to improve their 22nd-ranked defense, and fast.