Turn on the game!

Three must-see events this week:

1. Denver Nuggets at Golden State (8 p.m. Thursday, ESPN) – Denver’s new bench unit will face a tough opening test against Steph Curry and the Warriors on the road. Let’s hope Nikola Jokic plays about 35 minutes a game and gets the rest this season.

2. Colorado Buffaloes football at Utah (8:15 p.m. Saturday, ESPN) – Another late start for Coach Prime’s squad as the Buffs look to build off their home win over Iowa State.

3. Dallas Cowboys at Broncos (2:25 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, CBS) – The Denver defense will deal with one of its toughest tests of the season with Dak Prescott and the Dallas offense. Can the Broncos offense get going against a bad Cowboys defense?

Numbers game

23rd — the Avalanche’s power-play ranking in the NHL going into Saturday’s game with the Boston Bruins. After hiring a new power-play coach.

Box office

$75 — is the cheapest ticket on Seat Geek for the Nuggets’ home opener Saturday against the Phoenix Suns. Excitement for the new season has hit the ticket market.

On this day

Oct. 19, 1997 — John Elway threw for 309 yards, but the Broncos dropped their first game of the season to the then Oakland Raiders, 28-25. Denver went on to win the team’s first Super Bowl title that year.

What they’re saying

“He and I have gone through the levels together — we always say he’s my swing coach and I’m his swing coach.”

Rockies No. 2 prospect Charlie Condon on playing with fellow prospect Jared Thomas in the AFL.

—Chris Schmaedeke, The Denver Gazette