The Denver Nuggets' transition from fringe playoff contender last season to a legitimate threat for a top seed in the Western Conference this season materialized last night in a pivotal victory over the formidable Toronto Raptors.
If Denver's potential as a title contender is still somewhat nascent, Nikola Jokic's ascent to stardom is now fully realized, as the brilliant passer tallied 15 assists and posted a team-best plus-15 net rating in the 106-103 victory over the first-place Raptors. No other Denver starter, meanwhile, posted a positive net rating in the momentous win, as Jokic added 23 points and 11 boards to compile another impressive triple-double.