Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic called his team a "dark horse" in the hunt for the 2025–2026 NBA championship, even though statistically they are still among the strong favorites in the Western Conference.
According to Jokic, the race for the Larry O'Brien trophy this season will be fierce, especially since the Oklahoma City Thunder have been dominant since winning the title last season.
"They're definitely a team that's being chased and playing well," Jokic was quoted as saying on the NBA's official website on Thursday. "Hopefully, we can be... what do you call it? The silent knight? The silent horse? The dark horse."
In terms of rankings, the Nuggets are only slightly behind the Thunder in the championship race. In the NBA's preseason poll of general managers, Denver was predicted to be one of the top four teams in the Western Conference, alongside Oklahoma City, the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Houston Rockets.
The Northwest division's dominance has also come under scrutiny. Besides the Nuggets and Thunder, Minnesota is considered a powerhouse thanks to the impressive performance of Anthony Edwards, while the Portland Trail Blazers and Utah Jazz are considered young, fast-developing teams.
