ARNIE STAPLETON Sports Writer, Author at The Rapid City Post

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, right, looks to pass the ball as Denver Nuggets guard Jalen Pickett defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Thunder beat Nuggets 121-111 behind Gilgeous-Alexander’s 34 points

February 1, 2026

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 34 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Denver Nuggets 121-111. Cason Wallace added a career-best 27 points for the Thunder, including seven 3s. Oklahoma City sank 19 3-pointers and expanded a seven-point halftime lead to 16 in the third quarter. Peyton Watson paced the Nuggets with 29 points, but they never led. Nikola Jokic scored 16 in his second game back from injury. Jamal Murray had 12 assists but struggled with his shooting. Both teams were missing several starters due to injuries.

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, right, drives past Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton in the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Nuggets’ Jamal Murray earns first All-Star berth in ninth NBA season

February 1, 2026

Jamal Murray has earned his first career All-Star berth in his ninth NBA season. He is averaging career highs in points, shooting percentage, three-point percentage, rebounds, and assists. Murray has led the Nuggets through an injury epidemic that has sidelined key players like Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon. Jokic was earlier named an All-Star starter and on Sunday, Murray was announced as a reserve. Murray helped the Nuggets navigate the loss of Jokic for 16 games, during which they went 10-6, keeping pace in the Western Conference race.

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić, back, looks to pass the ball as Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards defends in overtime of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Nikola Jokic breaks Steph Curry’s record with 18 points in OT and Nuggets set mark with 27 OT points

December 26, 2025

Nikola Jokic set an NBA record with 18 points in overtime. His performance led the Denver Nuggets to a 142-138 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Christmas night. Jokic’s output also helped the Nuggets set a league record with 27 points in a single extra period. Nuggets coach David Adelman called Jokic the “best player in the world” and highlights his “crazy stat line” of 56 points, 16 rebounds and 15 assists. Jokic made 15 of 21 shots from the floor and 22 of 23 free throws. Teammate Jamal Murray says, “Sounds about right.”

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić reacts after he was called for a foul against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Jokic’s 56-point triple-double powers Nuggets past Timberwolves in OT

December 26, 2025

Nikola Jokic set an NBA record with 18 points in overtime, leading the Denver Nuggets to a 142-138 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Christmas night. Jokic recorded a 56-point triple-double, adding 16 assists and 15 rebounds. Jamal Murray scored 35 points as the Nuggets improved to 3-0 against the Wolves this season. Anthony Edwards scored 44 points for Minnesota but was ejected in overtime. The Nuggets won despite missing three starters, including Cameron Johnson, who injured his knee Tuesday night.

Denver Nuggets forward Cameron Johnson reacts after sustaining an injury during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Sam Hodde)

Nuggets forward Cameron Johnson avoids major knee injury but will miss a few games, AP source says

December 24, 2025

A person with knowledge of the medical tests tells The Associated Press that the Denver Nuggets have received positive news about forward Cameron Johnson. An MRI revealed Johnson has only a bone bruise on his right knee, not any ligament or structural damage. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team didn’t announce the results of Johnson’s MRI. Johnson was injured during the fourth quarter of Denver’s 131-130 loss at Dallas on Tuesday night. There’s no timetable for his return, but he’s expected to miss a few games. The Nuggets host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Christmas night.

UConn head coach Jim Mora talks with an official during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Duke, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, in East Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

Jim Mora makes bold promise for Colorado State’s football future

December 2, 2025

Jim Mora has taken over as head coach at Colorado State, a position he first showed interest in back in 2019. Mora, who previously built a successful program at UConn, replaces Jay Norvell after his midseason firing. Mora is excited about Colorado State’s upcoming move to the newly configured Pac-12. He believes the conference’s brand recognition is significant. The Rams are coming off a 2-10 season but Mora said he aims to turn around the Rams program just as he did UConn’s.

Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita warms up before an NCAA college football game against Colorado Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Noah Fifita’s 4 TD throws, Arizona’s 5 takeaways help WildCats crush Colorado 52-17

November 1, 2025

Noah Fifita threw first-half touchdown passes to four different receivers to lead the Arizona Wildcats to a 52-17 victory over the Colorado Buffaloes. The Wildcats forced five turnovers and raced to a 38-7 halftime lead. The Buffaloes struggled with penalties, which wiped out a 75-yard touchdown catch and an interception. Quarterback Kaidon Salter was benched for Ryan Staub, who also struggled, leading to freshman Ju-Ju Lewis stepping in. Lewis threw a 59-yard touchdown pass to Omarion Miller. The ‘Cats improve to 5-3. The Buffs fell to 3-6.

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic responds to questions during an NBA basketball media day news conference Monday, Sept. 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Nikola Jokic’s plan to stay with the Nuggets forever and the offseason moves that energized him

October 2, 2025

The Nuggets have made significant offseason moves to support Nikola Jokic and strengthen their team. They added depth similar to the Oklahoma City Thunder, who won the NBA championship after defeating Denver in a seven-game series. Jokic chose not to sign a $212 million deal this summer, aiming for a $293 million extension next year. He expressed a desire to remain with the Nuggets long-term. The team made several changes, including new coaching and management, trading Michael Porter Jr., and acquiring players like Cam Johnson and Jonas Valanciunas. Jokic is optimistic about the team’s new energy and potential.

Denver Nuggets head coach David Adelman walks along the bench area late in the second half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

David Adelman promoted to full-time Nuggets coach after leading team to conference semifinals

May 22, 2025

The Denver Nuggets have named David Adelman their head coach, taking the interim tag off his title after he led them into the second round of the NBA playoffs. Adelman replaced Michael Malone on the eve of the playoffs and the Nuggets went 3-0 to close the regular season by avoiding the play-in. The Nuggets beat the Clippers in seven games and then lost to the Thunder in seven games in Round 2. The Nuggets still need to name a replacement for former general manager Calvin Booth, who was fired the same day Malone was let go.

ARNIE STAPLETON Sports Writer.