The Denver Nuggets bench continues to win games — and that’s is an awesome development this early into the season.

The Nuggets blew past the Indiana Pacers 117-100 Saturday night at Ball Arena for their 4th straight win to move to 7-2 on the season.

Nikola Jokic led the way with 32 points, 14 rebounds, and 14 assists but also had 7 turnovers. Is was straight dominance.

But Tim Hardaway Jr. added in 17 points off the bench. Jonas Valanciunas had 6 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block. Bruce Brown finished with 6 points and 7 rebounds. Julian Strawther tallied 12 points. All the Nuggets bench players finished as a double-digit positive in +/-. No starters did that tonight.

Hardaway was +24. Brown was +23. Strawther finished +20.

And this was without Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon, who both missed tonight’s game due to injury.

Here’s what else stood out from the game.

Nuggets are banged up

Murray and Gordon both missed tonight’s game. Murray’s dealing with left calf tightness and the Nuggets are being extra cautious with Gordon who was out with “left hamstring injury management.” But both are definitely banged up and not 100%. It was a smart decision from the Nuggets to sit both of them on the second night of a back to back vs. Indiana.

Peyton Watson started in Gordon’s place and Jalen Pickett was somewhat of a surprise replacement for Murray in the starting five.

It doesn’t sound like either Murray or Gorodon’s injuries are anything to worry about or will keep them out of the lineup long. But it’s another example of how the Nuggets’ depth changes so much from last year. Denver can afford to rest guys this season.

Another triple-double for Jokic

Tonight’s triple-double — Jokic‘s 6th in 9 games so far this season — was clinched with around 7 minutes remaining in….the 3rd quarter.

It was another dominant display from the 3-time MVP. Jokic was turnover happy in this game and didn’t take great care of the ball, but on the offensive end of the floor was dominant.

Double-big debut

We got our first taste of the Jokic-Valanciunas front court tonight. David Adelman played the two centers together to start the 2nd quarter.

It’s not going to be a lineup the Nuggets go to a ton this season but it will be used sporadically. It should dominate the glass and the Nuggets are going to great offensive looks with both those guys on the floor. The questions arise when you think about how they defend quicker/faster teams.