The Denver Nuggets face a daunting challenge as they enter the postseason as underdogs against the Los Angeles Clippers. Despite their status as the defending champions and having not lost in the first round since 2022, national media has largely dismissed them. Coach David Adelman emphasizes the need for his team to embrace their past successes and to perform under pressure. With Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, the Nuggets have the talent to surprise critics and demonstrate their true potential, especially following recent changes in leadership aimed at reinvigorating the team's spirit and focus. The stakes are clear: winning this series is crucial for the Nuggets to be viewed as serious contenders again.