The Denver Nuggets visit the Sacramento Kings on Thursday, December 11, at 10:00 PM ET at Golden 1 Center. Denver carries a 17-6 record and a three-game winning streak, while the Kings sit at 6-18 after a one-game skid.
Denver will be missing Tamar Bates (G League two-way), Christian Braun (left ankle sprain), Aaron Gordon (right hamstring strain), DaRon Holmes II (G League assignment), and Julian Strawther (lower back management).
Jamal Murray leads the Nuggets with 25.0 points and 6.8 assists per game, supported by Nikola Jokic’s 29.2 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 11.0 assists per contest. Cameron Johnson (11.1 ppg) and Aaron Gordon (18.8 ppg) provide secondary scoring.
Sacramento faces multiple absences, including Zach LaVine (right thumb soreness), Domantas Sabonis (left knee partial meniscus tear), Dylan Cardwell (G League two-way), Daeqwon Plowden (G League two-way), and Isaiah Stevens (G League two-way). Dennis Schroder is listed as doubtful with a right hip flexor strain.
DeMar DeRozan leads the Kings with 18.0 points per game, followed by LaVine at 20.6 points and Sabonis at 17.2 points when available. Russell Westbrook contributes 13.9 points and 7.3 assists, while Keegan Murray adds 15.4 points and 7.6 rebounds per contest.
Denver holds the edge in recent matchups, winning two of three meetings this season, including a 130-124 victory on November 3 and a 122-108 win on November 11. Sacramento claimed a 128-123 win on November 22, their lone success against Denver this season.
The Nuggets average 125.0 points, 44.8 rebounds, and 29.4 assists per game, shooting 51.3% from the field. The Kings average 111.4 points, 40.0 rebounds, and 25.8 assists per game, hitting 46.6% of shots.
