Even though the Denver Nuggets are a Top 3 seed in the Western Conference, it hasn't come easy for them. Since November, they've been battling injuries to starters and have been without their superstar center in Nikola Jokic for multiple games now. While most teams would collapse, the Nuggets are finding ways to win.

Currently with a 31-15 record after defeating the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night, they did so without any of their opening night starters healthy in the second half, and both Peyton Watson and Jonas Valanciunas were sidelined. As they did in Philadelphia on January 5th, players just rose to the occasion.

The Nuggets had their seventh unique player to lead the team in scoring on Friday, as reserve guard Julian Strawther earned the start and scored 20 points en route to the victory.

After the game, veteran guard and 2023 NBA Champion Bruce Brown was asked about the team's play over the last couple of games, praising the group for their fight to constantly play hard.

"I don't know if there's a word, but we've all come together. Guys go down, new guys step up each night. [Julian Strawther] hasn't been in the lineup, and he came out and had an amazing game. [Tim Hardaway Jr.] stepped up in the second half. Everybody contributed and played hard, and did what they were supposed to do," Brown said.

Looking at the rest of the box score from Friday, Jalen Pickett and Zeke Nnaji both had solid games in the starting lineup, with Pickett having 13 points and seven assists, while Nnaji had a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds.

Even beyond this game, Peyton Watson has been the perfect example of a player who has stepped up when needed. Known more for his defense over the past few years, Watson is averaging 14.5 points and 5.1 rebounds per game this season on 50.8% field goal shooting.

However, Watson has taken it to another level in January, averaging 23.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.5 blocks, and 1.3 steals on 48.4% three-point shooting.

As mentioned by Tim Hardaway Jr. in his postgame interview on Friday, all of these opportunities that reserve players are getting only make the team stronger come postseason time.

A main reason behind Denver's defeat against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Semifinals last year was their lack of depth, and now they have an argument as the deepest team in the NBA, with players not just playing garbage minutes.

Of course, the Nuggets can't control injuries, but if they can have both Murray and Jokic healthy for the postseason with a majority of their depth, they'll be the team to beat in the West.