There are 27 games left for Julian Strawther to find the right balance.

On one scale is the need for Strawther to provide points off the bench when the Nuggets are at or near full health, as they expect to be when the 27-game push toward the postseason starts Thursday against Charlotte at Ball Arena. Sometimes that requires Strawther to create his own shot, especially when Nikola Jokic is not on the court. When Jokic, who turned 30 on Wednesday, is on the court, there’s a different level to find for Denver’s second-year wing.

“Especially being a young guy and having Nikola on the team, it’s hard just to find that balance just because you could just give the ball to Nikola every time,” Strawther said after Wednesday’s practice. “If you take a questionable shot and you don’t make it, well, it’s kind of a bigger deal, because you could’ve just gave the ball to Nikola.

“It’s definitely a little tough sometimes. The nights where it’s not going in, it’s definitely tough, but I wouldn’t want no other job. This is what I wanted. This is the job that I asked for. My goal was to eat, so I can’t be mad my plate is full.”

The need for Strawther to be a serviceable defender hangs on the other side. There have been stretches this season when opposing teams have sought him out on the defensive end, and staying out of foul trouble has been its own challenge. The defensive growth over the next 27 games will help determine the 22-year-old’s postseason role.

“He’s been a guy that we’ve relied upon,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said.

“He’s had some really good stretches. For a young player, you’re always battling consistency. Can he be a consistent contributor night in and night out and can he be a guy (that says) ‘Hey, listen, you’re not going to target me every night defensively. I can hold my own. I’m going to fight. You might score on me, but you’re going to have to work really hard to do so?’ … If he can provide that, he’ll be a really solid contributor for us.”

It looked like the Gonzaga product had a chance to carve out an every-night role as a rookie last season. Then, he sprained and bruised his right knee in January and missed a month of the season. The 16 playoff minutes he played all came in the final minutes of blowouts during Denver’s second-round series against Minnesota.

This season, Strawther’s the only member of the Nuggets who’s played in the first 55 games of the season, including four starts right before the All-Star break. He headed to San Francisco for the Rising Stars Challenge. Even though Strawther was a late injury replacement, he returned to Denver with the one thing his coach hoped he would get out of the experience.

“Just to be recognized as one of those guys and even be in the conversation is good for the confidence,” Strawther said. “But at the end of the day, I think all my confidence comes from what I’m doing in here and how I’m preparing for the game. If I can put myself in the best position, I’ll be good.”

Heading into the final third of the season, Strawther’s averaging 9.6 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists in nearly 23 minutes of playing time per game.

Continued production will be important as Denver shares the second-toughest remaining strength of schedule with Sacramento and Memphis, per tankathon.com. Phoenix (.541) is the only team with a higher combined win percentage of their remaining opponents than the Nuggets (.533), Kings and Grizzlies. The final 27 games will be the closest thing Strawther has experienced to meaningful postseason minutes, as teams fight for playoff positioning.

“Every possession matters a little bit more, taking care of the ball, not being loose with it. Then, just being game-plan disciplined, understanding the scout,” Strawther said. “I feel like everybody’s just kind of locks in and takes that next step.”

Nuggets injury report

Aaron Gordon – probable (right calf injury management)

Jamal Murray – probable (left knee inflammation)

Michael Porter Jr. – probable (left hamstring strain)

Vlatko Cancar – Out (left knee surgery)

DaRon Holmes II – Out (right Achilles tendon repair)

Peyton Watson – Out (right knee sprain)