The Denver Nuggets travel to face the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday, January 4, with tipoff set for 3:30 p.m. ET at Barclays Center. Denver enters at 23-11, while Brooklyn sits at 10-22 as injuries loom large on both sides.
Denver’s injury report is headlined by the absence of Nikola Jokic, who is out with a left knee bone bruise. The three-time MVP averages 29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 11.0 assists, making his availability a major factor in Denver’s approach.
The Nuggets are also without Cameron Johnson and Jonas Valanciunas, both sidelined with lower-body injuries. Tamar Bates remains out following left foot surgery.
Aaron Gordon is listed as questionable with a right hamstring strain after averaging 18.8 points and 5.9 rebounds in limited appearances. Christian Braun is also questionable due to a left ankle sprain, which could further thin Denver’s wing rotation.
There is some optimism around Jamal Murray, who is listed as probable with a left ankle sprain. Murray has been Denver’s primary scorer with Jokic sidelined, posting 25.4 points per game on 45.5 percent shooting from three.
Denver is coming off a 108-113 loss at Cleveland on January 2 after winning a tight 106-103 contest at Toronto on December 31.
Brooklyn’s injury report is lighter but still impactful. Nic Claxton is out for personal reasons, leaving a void in rim protection and interior defense.
Michael Porter Jr. is listed as probable due to illness and is expected to play. His availability would provide spacing and scoring punch against a Denver defense that may rely more on smaller lineups.
Several Brooklyn players are unavailable due to G League assignments, including Tyson Etienne, Chaney Johnson, E.J. Liddell, and Ben Saraf. Haywood Highsmith remains out while recovering from a right knee injury.
The teams have not met yet this season.
