The Denver Nuggets are walking into Ball Arena tonight with a bit of a weird vibe. Honestly, it’s been that way for a couple of weeks now. When you lose the best player on the planet to a knee injury, everything shifts. You’re not just replacing points; you’re replacing the guy who basically acts as the team's central nervous system.
Nikola Jokic is still out. That’s the big headline for the starting lineup for denver nuggets tonight. He’s been sidelined with a bone bruise in his left knee, and the latest word is we might not see him back until early February. It’s a bummer, but the Nuggets have actually been scrappy. They’re 29-13 and sitting third in the West, which is kind of incredible when you look at how many bodies they have in the training room right now.
Who is actually on the floor?
So, who starts? Since Jokic and Christian Braun are both out, and guys like Jonas Valančiūnas and Cameron Johnson are nowhere near the court, the rotation is looking a little "Next Man Up" in a very literal sense.
Expect Jamal Murray to lead the charge. He’s coming off a massive 42-point performance and has been averaging over 26 points a game lately. He’s basically the sun that the rest of this makeshift system revolves around right now. Joining him in the backcourt will likely be Jalen Pickett. It's a big opportunity for him, though he’s mostly there to provide some stability and defensive effort while Murray does the heavy lifting.
Up front, things get even more interesting. Peyton Watson has been a revelation. He’s putting up 14 points and 5 boards a night and playing with the kind of energy that keeps the crowd from falling asleep when the offense stalls. Spencer Jones is expected to slot in at the other forward spot. He’s a guy who’s been on an upward trajectory, and with the roster this thin, he’s getting all the minutes he can handle.
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Then there’s the center spot. Zeke Nnaji is the likely choice to start at the five. He’s not going to give you the triple-double threat of Jokic—nobody is—but he’s a mobile big who can at least contest shots and run the floor.
- PG: Jamal Murray
- SG: Jalen Pickett
- SF: Spencer Jones
- PF: Peyton Watson
- C: Zeke Nnaji
The "Probable" Problem
It's worth noting that "expected" doesn't always mean "locked in." Aaron Gordon has been dealing with a hamstring strain. He’s listed as probable, and if he plays, you can bet he’ll take over one of those forward spots, likely pushing Spencer Jones to the bench or shifting the small-ball dynamics. Bruce Brown is also in that "probable" boat with knee inflammation.
If Gordon and Brown are both 100%, the starting lineup for denver nuggets tonight looks a lot more formidable. But with a game against the Charlotte Hornets, the coaching staff might be tempted to manage those minutes carefully. You don't want a "probable" hamstring injury turning into a "definite" six-week absence.
Breaking Down the Matchup
The Charlotte Hornets aren't exactly world-beaters this year at 15-27, but they have LaMelo Ball back and healthy. That’s a problem. LaMelo is a walking highlight reel who can explode for 30 points and 10 assists on any given night. Without Jokic to anchor the defense and Braun to harass opposing guards, Murray and Pickett have a lot of work to do on the perimeter.
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Denver’s bench is also looking... well, a bit thin. Tim Hardaway Jr. is going to have to be a microwave scorer tonight. If he doesn't come in and drop 15 or 20 points, the Nuggets might struggle to keep pace if the game turns into a shootout.
The Nuggets lead the NBA in offensive rating, which is wild considering the injuries. They’re shooting over 40% from three as a team. That’s their path to victory tonight. If Murray stays hot and the role players like Watson and Jones hit their open looks, they should handle Charlotte. But if they go cold, it could be a long night at Ball Arena.
What to Watch For
Keep an eye on the first six minutes. In the games Jokic has missed, the Nuggets have tried to establish a fast pace early. They can't play the slow, methodical "give it to Nikola and wait" game anymore. They need to run.
Also, watch the rebounding. Denver is 23rd in the league in rebounding right now. Without their 7-foot Serbian vacuum cleaner in the middle, they’re giving up way too many second-chance points. Zeke Nnaji and Peyton Watson have to be elite on the glass for Denver to win comfortably.
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If you’re looking at the betting lines, the Nuggets are favored, but the over/under is always tricky with this group. They’ve scored over 120 points a lot this year, but since Jokic went down, they’ve been more of a "grind it out" team, staying under that mark in seven of their last nine games.
Check the official active roster about 30 minutes before tip-off. Coach David Adelman has been known to make last-second tweaks based on how guys like Aaron Gordon feel during warmups.
Take Actionable Steps
If you're following the game or managing a fantasy roster, here is what you need to do:
- Monitor the Hamstring: Check the final status of Aaron Gordon at 7:30 PM ET. If he's a late scratch, Peyton Watson becomes a "must-play" in most formats.
- Watch the Pace: If Denver starts the game with a 10-2 run based on transition points, they’ll likely cover the spread. If they are forced into a half-court battle, the Hornets have a real chance.
- Identify the X-Factor: Watch Spencer Jones in the first quarter. If he knocks down two early threes, it opens up the entire floor for Murray to operate.