The Denver Nuggets improve to 19-9 on the season and now sit atop the Western Conference standings following their huge, 109-98, win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Nuggets guard Jamal Murray chimed in after the game on why Denver has found its recipe for success early on this season.

“We're taking every game seriously,” Murray said per ESPN. “We're playing with a lot of confidence and everybody is a threat. It's not just me or Joker or Gary (Harris). Everybody on the court is taking shots and setting each other up. We go out there and we win games. We have fun doing it. We all stand up for each other. We all look out for each other. And the more we win games, we know we can beat anybody.”

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The Nuggets seem to have taken a next-man-up approach this season, as this team isn't even at full strength yet. This selfless and team-first mindset has definitely worked for Denver, as they have been one of the most pleasant surprises in so far in the first quarter of the 2018-19 season.

This all begins with their franchise big man, Nikola Jokic, who is perhaps the most selfless superstar in the league. Jokic led the Nuggets with a near triple-double, notching 24 points, 15 rebounds, and nine assists. Murray, despite getting into a skirmish with OKC star Russell Westbrook, contributed 19 points and nine rebounds himself.

The Nuggets were on the verge of a playoff berth last year, but lost out on it in the final game of the regular season against the Minnesota Timberwolves. It looks like that loss has motivated this young squad this season as they look to, not only make the post-season for the first time since 2013, but cement themselves as one of the top teams in the loaded Western Conference.