Denver Nuggets center Jonas Valančiūnas is enjoying all of the winning the Nuggets have been doing.
Jonas Valančiūnas is one of the newest additions to the Denver Nuggets, but he's clearly settling in just fine.
The Lithuanian center is averaging 8.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 0.6 blocks per game and has established himself as a crucial bench piece for the Nuggets to back up Nikola Jokić.
Heading into his 14th season, the Nuggets are Valančiūnas' sixth team and after a rollercoaster 2024-25 season where he split time between the Washington Wizards and Sacramento Kings, playing every night with a team operating at as high of a level as the Nuggets has been a welcome change of scenery for him.
Denver Nuggets center Jonas Valanciunas (17) shakes hands with guard Bruce Brown (11) during the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Sergio Estrada-Imagn ImagesA Good Fit With His New Team
"I'm enjoying it. I'm just enjoying playing, enjoying being in the locker room, enjoying being a part of this. It's just the start. Lots of games left, lots of stuff left to do, to improve as well. But, we take one day at a time," Valančiūnas said (via Nuggets).
He continued, "Coming in with a smile on my face. There's times you got to lock in and be focused, but, I'm just enjoying it."
Denver Nuggets center Jonas Valanciunas (17) controls the ball against Sacramento Kings center Maxime Raynaud (42) during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center. Sergio Estrada-Imagn ImagesThe Nuggets have been on a role this season. They own a 18-6 record and enjoy one of the top spots in the league, led by standout seasons by Jokić and Jamal Murray, but role players like Valančiūnas have been crucial components to the depth that can sustain Denver success throughout the season.
Home Game Struggles
The Nuggets do have one chink in their armor and that's ironically been home games. Denver is 6-4 at home this season, compared to a stellar 12-2 record on the road.
There aren't many answers to this abstract result, but Valančiūnas has an inventive solution to the Nuggets' home game woes.
Denver Nuggets center Jonas Valanciunas (17) looks to drive past Charlotte Hornets center Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) during the first half at the Spectrum Center. Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images"Let's play on the road every game. Simple as that," Valančiūnas said. "Jokes aside, we just got to lock in, I don't know what's going on. We have tough teams coming in right now, we've got to lock in, do our jobs and everything's going to be okay."
No matter their setbacks at home, Valančiūnas has clearly been having a great time as a member of the Nuggets, even if he's playing a bench role. It's been a long journey for him to get to Denver, but the success he's able to enjoy there has made the winding journey worth it.
"I'm enjoying winning. Whatever it takes it win. Doing it together... wherever you're at, a win is a win."