NBA: 5 biggest surprises from the opening week of 2018-19

NBA Denver Nuggets Jamal Murray (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
NBA Denver Nuggets Jamal Murray (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
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DENVER, CO – JANUARY 19: Will Barton #5 of the Denver Nuggets brings the ball down the court against Isaiah Canaan #2 of the Phoenix Suns at the Pepsi Center on January 19, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – JANUARY 19: Will Barton #5 of the Denver Nuggets brings the ball down the court against Isaiah Canaan #2 of the Phoenix Suns at the Pepsi Center on January 19, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

The Nuggets appear to be the real deal

It’s only been a week, but the Denver Nuggets may be officially coming of age. And perhaps the biggest indication of that wasn’t just their 3-0 start to the season. It was pulling out a grind-it-out win against the Golden State Warriors Sunday night.

Denver didn’t play all that well, but still managed to beat the Warriors. And the sign of a good team is winning ugly against good competition. That’s exactly what Denver proved it could do. If this team can continue down this path, there’s no question that they’re going to break through and make it back to the playoffs this season.

Led by Nikola Jokic, who appears to have taken another step this season, the Nuggets could be one of the best-kept secrets in the Western Conference.