What happened: Addressing the Denver Nuggets' opening week on The Lowe Post podcast, Zach Lowe separated outright panic from measured concern, stating that "there's panic and there's worry" and calling the latter reasonable. The assessment follows a three-game stretch in which Denver needed a 20-point rally to win in overtime on Oct. 24 before losing by 20 points on Oct. 26.

Why it matters: Extended defensive lapses and uneven production from the supporting cast have complicated the start of the 2026-27 regular season for the Nuggets. Stumbling out of the gate reduces Denver's early margin for error in the Western Conference standings before NBA Cup play begins on Oct. 30.

What to watch: Denver will try to climb back to .500 as the opening week of the 2026-27 schedule continues ahead of the Oct. 30 NBA Cup tipoff.