So, you’re trying to figure out when do the nuggets play tonight because, let's be real, the NBA schedule can be a total maze sometimes. If you are sitting in Denver right now, or just following the squad from afar, the answer is pretty straightforward: the Denver Nuggets are taking on the Washington Wizards tonight, Saturday, January 17, 2026.
The ball tips off at 7:00 PM MST at Ball Arena.
If you are on the East Coast, that’s 9:00 PM EST. For the central folks, you’re looking at an 8:00 PM start. It’s a home game, which usually means the energy in downtown Denver is going to be electric, even if the opponent isn't exactly a title contender this year.
Where to Catch the Game
Watching the Nuggets has become a bit of a saga over the last few years with all the broadcast drama. Honestly, it’s been a headache for fans. But for tonight’s game against Washington, you’ve basically got two main paths.
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If you are local, Altitude Sports is still the primary home for the Nuggets. Most fans in the region have figured out their workarounds by now, whether that’s through FuboTV or DirecTV Stream. For those outside the Denver market, NBA League Pass is your best friend.
Sometimes KTVD (Channel 20) picks up these games for over-the-air broadcast, so it’s always worth a quick check with the antenna if you’re trying to save a few bucks.
The State of the Nuggets Roster
Now, here is where things get a little dicey. If you’ve been following the news this week, you know the Nuggets have been hit hard by the injury bug. It’s been rough.
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The biggest question mark is, obviously, Nikola Jokic. He’s been dealing with a bone bruise in his knee. Earlier this week, he was ruled out of the Dallas game, and the vibe around the team is definitely "caution first." While he’s been cleared for some on-court work, there’s a real chance the Joker sits this one out to make sure he's 100% for the playoff push later this spring.
But it’s not just him.
- Christian Braun has been nursing an ankle sprain.
- Cameron Johnson (one of the newer faces) is out with a knee issue.
- Jonas Valančiūnas has been dealing with a calf strain.
Because of all these holes in the lineup, we’ve seen some guys step up in a huge way. Peyton Watson has been playing out of his mind lately. He was actually just named Western Conference Player of the Week after averaging over 24 points and shooting 70% from three over a four-game stretch. It’s kind of wild to see his development happen this fast.
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Why This Wizards Game Actually Matters
On paper, the Wizards are... well, they’re the Wizards. They are 10-29 and sitting near the bottom of the Eastern Conference. They’ve lost four in a row.
But for Denver, this isn't a "gimme" game. The Nuggets are currently 28-13, which puts them in a tight race with the Thunder and the Spurs for the top seeds in the West. You can't afford to drop home games against sub-.500 teams when the standings are this crowded.
Keep an eye on Jamal Murray. He’s been averaging about 19.2 points over his last ten games. With Jokic potentially out or limited, Murray becomes the undisputed engine of the offense. He’ll be looking to exploit a Washington defense that is giving up a staggering 124 points per game.
Keys to the Matchup
- The Watson Factor: Can Peyton Watson keep up this hot streak? If he continues to provide elite spacing and defense, the Nuggets can survive a shorthanded roster.
- Bench Depth: Expect to see a lot of Jalen Pickett and Julian Strawther. Pickett had a solid 16-point outing recently and is starting to look comfortable in the rotation.
- Protect the Paint: Even without their primary bigs, Denver needs to prevent Alex Sarr from getting easy looks at the rim. Sarr has been a bright spot for DC, averaging nearly 17 points.
Basically, tonight is about taking care of business. The Nuggets score 122.6 points per game on average, which is right in line with what Washington allows. If Denver plays their game—lots of ball movement, high IQ plays, and taking advantage of the altitude—they should walk away with a "W" before heading into a back-to-back situation tomorrow against Charlotte.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the final injury report around 5:30 PM MST; that’s usually when we get the "Official" word on Jokic's status.
- If you’re heading to Ball Arena, remember the bag policy is still super strict—leave the backpacks at home.
- Make sure your streaming login works before the 7:00 PM tip-off so you don't miss the opening minutes of what should be a high-scoring affair.