The Denver Nuggets had a weird start to the season. Their fitness and effort didn’t seem quite there. Denver’s star Nikola Jokic played all summer with the Serbian national team, but didn’t seem to be in top shape (for Jokic) entering the NBA season. Despite a deep well of talent, there was something amiss. Michael Malone blew up at the team a couple weeks into the season in that particularly sharp, Malonian way.

Then this weekend happened.

On Friday, the Nuggets hosted the class of the East, the Philadelphia 76ers. It was a hard-fought game that had Denver coming back from 19 down for Jokic himself to hit a very weird, falling, long, two-point go-ahead bucket with less than two seconds left.

NIKOLA JOKIĆ!!!!!!!!!!



That's what you do when you're the BEST CENTER IN THE LEAGUE!!! pic.twitter.com/xX3HLsqdt7 — Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) November 9, 2019

Joel Embiid got called for a touchy offensive foul when Jokic fell at the other end on the inbound alley-oop attempt, and that was the game.

On Sunday, the Nuggets were in Minnesota to face the Timberwolves. This time it was Denver blowing a big lead (16 in the fourth); the Nuggets needed overtime against the upstart Wolves. But there Jokic was again in the extra frame, hitting a go-ahead fall-away with 2.4 seconds left to give Denver the lead and the win.

NIKOLA JOKIC FOR THE LEAD! SECOND GAME IN A ROW pic.twitter.com/5pNX1QNUSG — Brandon Ewing (@B_Skip1717) November 10, 2019

Victory is the greatest salve, and winning heart-stopping victories like this on the soft touch of your superstar is an especially inspiring way to do it. Denver is now tied atop the Western Conference at 7-2 and, one imagine, feeling quite good about the first month of the season. What a good weekend can do for your spirits.

Sign up for the newsletter Good Morning It’s Basketball NBA news and links delivered to your inbox each weekday, so you never miss out. Email (required) By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Notice and European users agree to the data transfer policy. Subscribe

Scores

Friday’s scores.

Saturday’s scores.

Sunday’s scores

Nuggets 100, Wolves 98 (OT)

Pacers 109, Magic 102

Hornets 106, Sixers 114

Bucks 121, Thunder 119

Cavaliers 108, Knicks 87

Nets 112, Suns 138

Hawks 113, Blazers 124 (OT)

Raptors 113, Lakers 104

Schedule

All times ET. Games on League Pass unless otherwise noted.

Timberwolves at Pistons, 7 p.m.

Mavericks at Celtics, 7:30 p.m., NBA TV

Grizzlies at Spurs, 7:30 p.m.

Rockets at Pelicans, 8 p.m.

Jazz at Warriors, 10:30 p.m.

Raptors at Clippers, 10:30 p.m., NBA TV

Links

Is Kawhi the league’s best closer?

Scary times. Dion Waiters reportedly suffered a panic attack on a team flight late last week after ingesting an edible. He’s apparently OK now. The Heat have suspended him 10 games. Waiters has said a teammate gave him the edible but he won’t say who. The NBA can test Waiters for probable cause, but he wouldn’t be suspended by the league if it’s a first or second offense on marijuana.

NBA DESKTOP includes a very spicy take on Ben Simmons.

James Wiseman might be the No. 1 pick. He plays for Memphis. Well, maybe.

Gordon Hayward broke his hand. What the hell, man?

The Knicks had an atrocious Sunday loss to the visiting Cavaliers. So it’s especially weird and notable that the front office leaders, Scott Perry and Steve Mills, gave an impromptu postgame press conference deriding the state of things. The ice beneath Dave Fizdale is melting.

Very eye-opening win for the reigning NBA champion Raptors over the Lakers. We knew Pascal Siakam would have a strong season, and Fred VanVleet is game. But OG Anunoby, folks! Chris Boucher is graduating!

An awkward interview that perfectly describes Jimmy Butler.

Lonzo Ball fixed his jumper.

Explaining load management.

In appreciation of Harrison Barnes.

Be excellent to each other.