Paul Pierce believes the Denver Nuggets still have a legitimate path to winning the Western Conference, and his argument starts with the most obvious factor of all: Nikola Jokić.
In a recent television appearance, Pierce made the case that Denver “hosts the best player,” owns one of the strongest home-court advantages in basketball, and carries championship DNA inside its locker room. His larger point was simple; in a seven-game playoff series, the Nuggets present a unique combination of stability, experience and star power that makes them extremely difficult to eliminate.
Pierce emphasized that Denver’s edge begins at Ball Arena, where the altitude and crowd environment have consistently made life difficult for visiting teams. His warning was direct: if a team fails to take care of business on its own floor, it likely won’t survive a trip to Denver. In his words,
“If you lose to them at home, you are not winning in Denver.”
Beyond Jokić, Pierce pointed to what he sees as improved depth compared to last season. He referenced contributions from Christian Braun, Peyton Watson’s development, and the broader rotation maturing around Denver’s core. For Pierce, this isn’t just a top-heavy team, it’s one that can sustain pressure through multiple lineup combinations.
He also singled out Jamal Murray, praising what Murray has delivered this year and describing him as having turned himself into an All-Star-level performer. In Pierce’s view, Murray’s growth gives Denver the secondary shot creation and late-game composure necessary in high-leverage playoff moments.
Ultimately, Pierce’s argument isn’t flashy. It’s rooted in playoff reality. In a seven-game series, having the best player, a proven championship foundation, and one of the league’s toughest home environments may be enough. And if Denver defends its floor, Pierce believes the road to the West may still run through the Mile High City.
