The Denver Nuggets aren’t exactly where they want to be through 22 games, but they’re not terribly far off, either.

Heading into Thursday’s slate of NBA games, the Houston Rockets, second in the Western Conference, have just two fewer losses than the 12-10 Nuggets that sit in seventh.

“Not where we want to be just yet,” DeAndre Jordan, one of the team’s veteran leaders, said after Thursday’s practice.

Consistency seems to be the biggest thing standing between the Nuggets and where they want to be. Coach Michael Malone has been encouraged by the team’s 5-0 homestand in early November. But remove that stretch and Denver has lost more often than it has won.

“Habits, stringing together as close to 48 minutes of Nuggets basketball as we possibly can,” Jordan said. “No game is going to be perfect. We’re going to give up things that we planned in the scouting report. That’s just the way it is. It’s a game of mistakes, but we can’t let those things compile.”

Seemingly the only constants for the Nuggets have been Nikola Jokic’s brilliance and a steady stream of minor, but not inconsequential injuries. Jamal Murray missed a few games with a concussion and is at risk of missing a third straight game on Friday against the Clippers with hamstring inflammation. Aaron Gordon’s calf strain led to 10 more missed games. Vlatko Cancar’s knee and ankle issues,  coupled with Dario Saric’s recent ankle sprain, have limited Michael Malone’s options off the bench.

Malone said Thursday that Murray had a couple of strong days of practice, but he’s listed as questionable to return Friday.

“We’ll see how he responds tomorrow. If he’s available tomorrow, night, that will be great to have him back, kind of getting our starting unit back together. It’s really easy to look at our record at 12-10 and say ‘Oh my gosh, what’s happening?’” Malone said.

“I know what we’re capable of when we’re doing the right things. Our challenge is to do the right things for longer stretches of time more consistently. That starts with being healthy and holding ourselves to a much higher standard.”

The Nuggets have been doing the wrong things too regularly on defense. Malone has been critical of his team’s transition defense, ability to keep opponents from getting multiple shots and discipline. Malone cited the 13 free throws Denver gave up by fouling jump shooters in their last game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Coach Ty Lue’s squad is responsible for two of Denver’s losses with the games being decided by a combined nine points.

It hasn’t been an easy start to the season for a team that still has championship hopes. But it could be a lot worse, too.

“Sometimes you need some tension and you need a wake-up call,” Michael Porter Jr. said. “

“We have so much time to take these weaknesses and turn them into strengths and work on them in practice. Hopefully, as the season goes on, we can minimize those weaknesses that we have and be ready for the postseason. … I feel comfortable where we’re at. But we’re definitely not where we want to be.”

INJURY REPORT

Denver

Jamal Murray – questionable (right hamstring inflammation)

Christian Braun – probable (right quad contusion)

Aaron Gordon – probable (right calf strain)

Dario Saric – out (left ankle sprain)

Vlatko Cancar – out (left knee surgery)

DaRon Holmes II – out (right Achilles tendon repair)

Trey Alexander – out (G League)

Spencer Jones – out (G League)

PJ Hall – out (G League)

Los Angeles

Kawhi Leonard – out (right knee injury recovery)

Derrick Jones Jr. – out (right hamstring strain)

Terance Mann – out (left finger fracture)

PJ Tucker – out (not with team)

Kobe Brown – out (back injury management)

Cam Christie – out (G League)

Trentyn Flowers – out (G League)