The Denver Nuggets went from struggling to surging in just a few days. A three-game skid had fans worried, especially with the trade deadline approaching. But now? They’ve bounced back with two straight wins and have a golden chance to keep rolling against a shorthanded Pelicans squad on Monday night. But they aren’t without injuries of their own. The Joker’s pairing with Russell Westbrook is not showing up tonight.

Fans who were unhappy with the Westbrook trade are now worried about him. The former MVP, who had to become a backup point guard, proved himself and became a starter. Westbrook won’t play against the Pelicans on Monday because of a left hamstring strain. According to the team’s official X account, Malone confirmed there’s no timeline for his return.

Westbrook suffered the strain during the Nuggets’ 137-134 win over the 76ers on Friday. With the All-Star break looming, there’s a real chance the former MVP could be sidelined for longer than expected. It’s definitely a tough situation for the Nuggets, especially as they try to build on their recent success.

Westbrook’s durability is something we’ve come to expect, so it’s surprising to see him miss games—especially with the Nuggets. He has played at least 80 games in 7 seasons in his 19 seasons. Before this hamstring injury, he hadn’t missed any games since joining the team. Now, Monday night will mark just the second time he’s sat out in his time at Denver.

In 48 games this season, Westbrook has been putting up solid numbers—13.0 points, 6.4 assists, and 5.1 rebounds. His shooting splits are 48% from the field, 33% from three, and 64% from the free-throw line. He struggled early on, but once he took over the starting spot while Aaron Gordon was out, he really found his rhythm with the Nuggets.

With Peyton Watson out too, the Nuggets need to make a move.

Denver Nuggets needs to address its defensive concerns and Russell Westbrook’s three-pointers

The Nuggets are in a tough spot as the NBA trade deadline looms. The team has been dominant offensively but has struggled defensively, and now with Watson out, they’re more vulnerable than ever. It’s no secret that Denver’s defense needs serious work.

In fact, the Nuggets rank first in allowing 3-pointers and assists to opposing shooting guards, and the problems extend to point guards as well. Without a solid defense, the Nuggets could easily falter in the postseason.

Now, the question is whether they make a move. While Denver is built for offense, their lack of defense could be a championship killer. A player like Bruce Brown could be the answer, but it would require moving Zeke Nnaji’s poor contract.

Meanwhile, Russell Westbrook has found a groove, particularly alongside Nikola Jokic, but his playoff struggles are concerning. Westbrook’s 3-point shooting woes last postseason (2-for-13) point to the need for additional support if the Nuggets want to make a deep playoff run.

But here’s the thing—GM Calvin Booth may hesitate to make a big move. Michael Porter Jr. is a key piece, and trading him would disrupt the offense, especially since he’s their second-best shooter. Finding the right trade that doesn’t hurt their championship window is tricky.

The Nuggets must decide: do they stand pat or go for a move to shore up their defense before it’s too late?