DENVER – Utah Jazz coach Will Hardy couldn't help but laugh.

He had just been asked whether Collin Sexton would be limited due to a broken finger he suffered earlier in the week. Limit Sexton? The fireball of energy with the infectious smile. That premise alone seemed pretty absurd.

“I just laugh at the idea of ​​limiting Collin,” he said before the game. “No, no, right now it's a pain tolerance thing; and to all appearances Colin is in no pain.”

That's a good thing, because this season could be terribly painful for the Jazz.

Utah is still hoping for its first win of the season after losing 129-103 to the Denver Nuggets on Saturday at Ball Arena. The Jazz are currently 0-6 this season, their worst record since starting 0-8 in the 2013-14 season.

That season, the team started 1-14 and finished the season with the worst record in the Western Conference. And with injury reports mounting, it's not hard to imagine a similar start for this year's team.

Utah was without Lauri Markkanen (lower back spasms) and Jordan Clarkson (heel) on Saturday.

Markkanen, speaking to reporters Saturday morning, said he expects to return at some point during Utah's four-game road trip. Utah next plays at Chicago on Monday; Clarkson, meanwhile, will be reevaluated on Friday.

That meant the Jazz were without four rotation players (Isaiah Collier and Taylor Hendricks as the other two) against the Nuggets.

Nikola Jokic had 27 points, 16 rebounds and nine assists and led the Nuggets, who shot 50% from 3-point range.

Utah stayed relatively close in the first half and even came back from a 17-point deficit in the first quarter to tie the score midway through the second half. However, Denver's 9-point halftime lead quickly expanded in the third quarter and Jokic spent the entire final frame comfortably on the bench.

Utah had 14 live turnovers, which helped the Nuggets open the game late.

“The turnovers in live games continue to increase for our team,” Hardy said. “We need to handle the ball better and value the ball. Some of them pass, others just dribble into the crowd. … We play a style where the ball moves and everyone has to appreciate the ball when they have it.

Walker Kessler led the Jazz with 18 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks. Keyonte George had 16 points and eight assists and John Collins added 15 points. Despite a broken finger, Sexton had 10 points and four assists in 25 minutes.

“Oh no, I’m fine,” Sexton said of the break. “I've been here before and I've broken my fingers before. So just a bit confused, but I'm good to go. For me there are no excuses.”

The broken finger will need to be taped for up to eight weeks until it heals.

“I have to clarify because it was messed up, but it’s all good,” he said. “I’ll be fine.”

Despite all the injuries, Sexton was suddenly one of the older players on the field (even at the young age of 25) and he feels a responsibility to help his younger teammates through the difficult start.

“Sometimes it’s the first time they’ve experienced something like this; they’ve been winning their whole lives,” Sexton said. “Sometimes years go by without losing five games. Right now, during this difficult time, I can only encourage them with my leadership and background and continue to push them when needed.”

One of the things he wants his teammates to remember is to stay in the present.

“You only have the present time to go out here and give it your all,” he said. “Give 110% whenever you push those limits. That’s all we can do.”

However, that wasn't enough for a win – at least not yet.

When is that coming? Uh…fans are best off taking Sexton's advice and just taking it game by game. Translation: If the first six games are any indicator, it could be a while.

Hopefully Sexton isn't the only one with a high pain tolerance.