The Denver Nuggets are implementing a more physical defensive approach ahead of the 2025-26 season, mimicking the style of defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. Nikola Jokic said Friday that the team is emphasizing aggressive play that pushes the boundaries of what referees will call fouls.
The Nuggets ranked 21st in defensive efficiency last season and have struggled in consecutive postseasons against opponents who employed physical, disruptive schemes. The Minnesota Timberwolves’ aggressive defense stymied Jamal Murray in 2024, while OKC overwhelmed Denver with paint protection and perimeter recovery in the 2025 playoffs.
Jokic explained the team’s defensive philosophy during practices at Ball Arena on Friday. The three-time MVP indicated that the approach focuses on pushing the limits of physicality without making mistakes.
“We’re trying to be aggressive,” Jokic said. “We’re trying to be as close as possible to a foul – testing the referees to call the foul. That’s something we’re going to try to do. That was the emphasis of the training.”
New head coach David Adelman has described the strategy as a defensive strategy. The term refers to the creation of chaos through ball pressure, zone concepts and matchup-dependent schemes.
Adelman has emphasized zone defense and situational adjustments throughout the offseason. The coach regularly used Zone as an interim coach during last season’s playoffs and plans to continue developing multiple defensive looks.
The new plan will be less rigid than previous seasons and more heavily based on Jokic’s basketball IQ. Some matchups may require Jokic to pressure ballhandlers, while others may call for drop coverage.
“Just different ways to beat better players. Zone. All that stuff works, and then when we do zone, who’s on the field, what their responsibilities are at each spot,” Adelman said. “And we will continue to work on it.”
The Nuggets hope to close the defensive gap with Oklahoma City, a heavy favorite to repeat as champions. Alex Caruso harassed Jokic during the Thunder’s Game 7 win last season, demonstrating the effectiveness of aggressive ball pressing.
Jokic acknowledged the learning curve of the new system, but expressed optimism about its potential impact.
“It’s something new, so we’re trying to adapt,” Jokic said. “But I think we see that it’s going to be very good, and that it can help us a lot.”
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